1RLF 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


THE    FIGURE   OF   A   TALL    KNIGHT   STOOD    BEFORE    HIM. 


Stories  of 

ROBIN  HOOD 

it 

And  His  Merry  Outlaws 


By 
J.  WALKER  McSPADDEN 

Author  of  "  Shaksperian  Synopses ,"  and  "  Synopses 
of  Dickens' s  Novels." 


NEW  YORK 
THOMAS  Y.  CROWELL  &  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


1904, 

BY  THOMAS  Y.  CROWELL  &  COMPANY 


GIFT 


To 

I.  M.  M.  and  C.  F.  M. 

This  Book  is 

Dedicated 


210 


Contents 


Introduction        .....        vii 

I.     How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   .          i 

II.     How  Robin  Hood  Met  Little  John         .        23 

III.  How  Robin  Hood  turned   Butcher,   and 

Entered  the  Sheriff's  Service     .          .        32 

IV.  How  Little   John  Entered  the  Sheriff's 

Service  ......        44 

V.     How  the  Sheriff  Lost  Three  Good  Serv- 
ants and  Found  Them  Again     .          .        56 
VI.     How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet       .       69 
VII.     How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck         .       81 
VIII.     How  Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  was  Pros- 
pered    .         .  .         .         -94 

IX.     How    the    Widow's    Three    Sons    were 

Rescued          .          .          .          .          .107 

X.     How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye      .      1 1 8 
XI.     How    Robin    Hood    Fought    Guy    of 

Gisborne         .          .          .          .          .128 

XII.     How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back  to  Sher- 
wood Forest ;  also,  How  Robin  Hood 
Came  Before  Queen  Eleanor     .          .      145 
V 


vi  Contents 

CHAP.  PAGE 

XIII.  How  the  Outlaws  Shot  in  King  Harry's 

Tourney         .          .          .          .         .158 

XIV.  How   Robin   Hood   was   Sought  of  the 

Tinker 182 

XV.     How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned  of  the 

Tanner  .          .          .          .          .198 

XVI.     How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard  of 

the  Lea 211 

XVII.     How  the  Bishop  was  Dined  .          .226 

XVIII.     How  the  Bishop  Went  Outlaw-Hunting,     235 
XIX.     How  the  Sheriff  Held  Another  Shooting 

Match  ......      244 

XX.     How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     .          .     255 
XXI.     How  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea  Repaid  His 

Debt 269 

XXII.     How  King  Richard  Came  to  Sherwood 

Forest    ......     277 

XXIII.  How    Robin    Hood    and    Maid  Marian 

were  Wed  '    .  .     294 

XXIV.  How  Robin  Hood  Met  His  Death         .     305 


Introduction 

SONGS  and  legends  of  Robin  Hood  and  his 
merry  outlaws  have  charmed  readers  young 
and  old  for  more  than  five  hundred  years. 
They  are  among  the  earliest  heirlooms  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  tongue,  dating  back  to  the  time 
when  Chaucer  wrote  his  "  Canterbury  Tales," 
and  the  minstrel  and  scribe  stood  in  the  place  of 
the  more  prim  and  precise  modern  printing 
block.  The  present  stories,  then,  are  but  the  re- 
telling of  old  tales  whose  charm  and  interest, 
nevertheless,  make  them  ever  new.  The  old 
tales  were  in  rhyme  and  ancient  spelling ;  they 
were  hid  in  out-of-the-way  places ;  and  they 
were  more  or  less  disconnected  and  obscure  to 
our  modern  thinking.  For  this  reason  the  ad- 
ventures are  now  put  into  a  continuous  prose 
narrative,  in  the  hope  that  they  will  make  some 
readers  acquainted  with  one  of  the  most  attrac- 
tive heroes  in  all  story-land. 

"  Was  Robin  Hood  a  real  person  ?  "  will  doubt- 
less be  the  first  question.     It  has  been  asked  for 
many,  many   years,   just  as   a  similar  question 
vii 


viii  Introduction 

is  being  asked  about  the  great  Swiss  hero,  Will- 
iam Tell,  and  many  others  whom  we  would 
much  rather  accept  on  faith.  But  this  is  an  age 
of  skepticism  and  doubt,  so  one  might  as  well 
face  the  inquiry  first  as  last. 

The  question  of  Robin  Hood's  flesh  and  blood 
cannot  be  answered  by  a  brief  "  yes"  or  "  no," 
although  learned  men  have  pored  over  ancient 
records  and  have  written  books  on  the  subject — 
some  saying  that  he  actually  did  live  in  the 
greenwood  and  fight  with  bow  and  staff  and 
sword ;  others  claiming  that  his  deeds  were  but 
legendary  stories  relating  to  a  group  of  men 
rather  than  a  single,  historical  person ;  and  still 
others  saying  that  he  is  but  the  embodiment  of 
May-time  revels. 

However  that  may  be,  Robin  Hood  has  been 
the  one  great  popular  hero  in  England  for  cen- 
turies, and  the  accounts  of  his  life  are  much  more 
clear  and  distinct  than  those  of  many  early  kings 
and  lords.  His  adventures  are  minutely  related 
in  numerous  ballads,  and  his  name  is  cherished 
as  one  of  the  first  among  those  who  stood  out 
for  liberty  and  equal  rights  to  high  and  low.  If 
ever  a  man  has  been  loved  by  his  country,  it  is 
Robin  Hood.  "  It  is  he,"  says  an  old  historian, 
"  whom  the  common  people  delight  to  celebrate 


Introduction  ix 

in  games  and  comedies,  and  whose  history,  sung 
by  fiddlers,  interests  them  more  than  any  other." 
In  the  sixteenth  century  an  annual  holiday  was 
still  set  apart  for  him,  and  observed  by  all  the 
people  in  the  countryside.  Bishop  Latimer  once 
visited  a  certain  town  and  announced  that  he 
would  preach  there  the  next  day.  But  on  the 
morrow  when  he  went  to  the  church  he  found 
the  doors  locked  and  no  congregation  in  sight. 
After  waiting  more  than  an  hour  for  a  key,  a 
man  came  up  and  said  :  "  Sir,  this  is  a  busy  day 
with  us ;  we  cannot  hear  you :  it  is  Robin 
Hood's  day.  The  parish  are  gone  abroad  to 
gather  for  Robin  Hood.0  The  Bishop  himself 
tells  us  of  this  incident  and  adds  with  hurt  dig- 
nity :  "  I  was  fain  there  to  give  place  to  Robin 
Hood."  So  he  took  off  his  robe  and  went  his 
way,  leaving  his  place  to  archers  dressed  in  Lin- 
coln green,  who  played  on  rude  stages  the  parts 
of  Robin  Hood,  Little  John,  Friar  Tuck,  and 
even  Maid  Marian. 

There  is  more  than  one  reason  why  Robin 
has  been  a  national  hero.  He  was  not  simply  a 
robber  and  brawler.  We  must  not  emphasize 
these  traits,  in  the  turbulence  and  lawlessness  of 
early  days  when  king  warred  against  noble  and 
noble  against  bishop  and  all  three  oppressed  the 


x  Introduction 

common  people  whom  the  law  gave  no  redress. 
An  outlaw,  in  those  times,  when/deprived  of  pro- 
tection owed  no  man  allegiance.  His  head  was 
forfeit,  if  he  were  ever  captured ;  so  his  hand 
was  against  every  man's,  and  every  man's  against 
his.  And  how  easy  it  was  to  become  an  outlaw  ! 
The  shooting  of  a  king's  deer,  or  the  incurring 
of  some  lord's  displeasure,  was  enough  to  put  a 
man's  life  in  jeopardy. 

This  was  the  day  not  only  of  oppression  by 
church  and  state,  but  also  of  the  struggle  be- 
tween the  Saxon  landholders  and  their  Norman 
conquerors.  Robin  Hood  was,  first  of  all,  a 
Saxon  who  stood  out  for  the  rights  of  the 
people,  waging  war  against  knights,  sheriffs,  ab- 
bots, and  money-lenders,  whose  sway  was  so 
heavy.  But  he  was  fair  in  war,  a  protector  of 
women  and  children ;  courteous,  moreover,  to 
noble  and  peasant  alike ;  kind  to  the  poor  and 
oppressed,  with  whom  he  shared  the  goods  ob- 
tained from  too-heavily-laden  knight  or  bishop  ; 
generous,  as  well,  giving  to  a  bankrupt  crusader 
horse,  clothing  and  money  to  recover  his  estate  ; 
a  respecter  of  honest  laboring  men  and  trades- 
folk whom  his  men  were  forbidden  to  molest; 
brave  to  rashness,  proud  and  adventurous — ready 
to  get  blows  as  quickly  as  take  them,  and  to  defy 


Introduction  xi 

the  sheriff  within  his  walled  town ;  skilled  and 
adroit  and  resourceful ;  finally,  a  man  of  frank, 
open  countenance  singing  among  the  lights  and 
shadows  of  the  good  greenwood,  and  jesting  in 
the  face  of  death  itself.  This  is  the  picture 
which  all  the  singers  and  story-tellers  give  of 
him.  Is  there  any  wonder  that  the  common 
people  loved  him  ? 

This  love  extended  from  him  to  all  the  mem- 
bers of  his  hardy  band.  "  God  save  Robin 
Hood,  and  all  his  good  yeomanry,"  is  the  way 
many  of  the  ballads  end.  The  clever  archer  who 
could  outshoot  his  fellows,  the  brave  yeoman 
inured  to  blows,  and  the  man  who  could  be  true 
to  his  friends  through  thick  and  thin  were  favor- 
ites for  all  time  ;  and  they  have  been  idealized  in 
the  persons  of  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  out- 
laws. Stories  of  their  deeds  are  the  epics  of  the 
common  people,  just  as  the  earlier  stories  of 
King  Arthur  and  his  knights  are  the  epics  of  the 
courtly  class.  The  striking  contrast  of  these  two 
classes  is  shown  in  the  forest  scene  where  King 
Richard  meets  the  yeomen  on  equal  terms.  This 
and  other  parallel  portraits  of  Richard  and  Robin 
Hood  (  or  Lockesley  )  have  been  drawn  in  en- 
during fashion  by  Sir  Walter  Scott  in  "  Ivanhoe." 

If  Robin  Hood   really  lived,  it  was  probably 


xii  Introduction 

some  time  during  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  cen- 
turies. Joseph  Ritson,  who  is  accounted  the  first 
modern  authority  on  this  subject,  found  warrant 
for  the  supposition  that  he  was  born  at  Lockes- 
ley,  County  of  Nottingham,  about  the  year  1 160 
— during  the  reign  of  Henry  II.  His  true  name 
was  Robert  Fitzooth,  and  he  came  of  good 
family.  By  some  writers  he  was  reputed  to  be 
the  rightful  Earl  of  Huntingdon.  He  was  a 
wild,  adventurous  youth  whose  debts  or  other 
follies  drove  him  to  the  forests  of  Barnesdale,  in 
Yorkshire,  and  Sherwood,  in  Nottinghamshire. 
Being  declared  an  outlaw  he  had  no  recourse 
but  to  remain  in  hiding  until  a  new  King  should 
come  to  the  throne,  or  other  public  event  work 
in  his  favor.  Meanwhile  he  mustered  a  picked 
band  of  outlaws  who  became  noted  for  their 
prowess  and  daring.  They  successfully  defied 
the  laws  for  many  years,  making  other  rough 
and  ready  laws  of  their  own. 

King  Henry  died  in  1189  and  his  son  Richard 
of  the  Lion  Heart  was  hailed  as  King.  But  the 
government  was  then  in  a  poor  state  owing  to 
Richard's  absence  upon  a  crusade,  and  his  brother 
John's  weak  regency.  A  history  of  the  period 
by  Mair  has  this  passage:  "  About  this  time,  as 
I  conjecture,  the  notorious  robbers  Robert  Hood 


Introduction  xiii 

of  England  and  Little  John  lurked  in  the  woods, 
spoiling  the  goods  only  of  rich  men.  They  slew 
nobody  but  those  who  attacked  them,  or  offered 
resistance  in  defense  of  their  property.  Robert 
maintained  by  his  plunder  a  hundred  archers,  so 
skilful  in  fight  that  four  hundred  brave  men 
feared  to  attack  them.  He  suffered  no  woman 
to  be  maltreated,  and  never  robbed  the  poor,  but 
assisted  them  abundantly  with  the  wealth  which 
he  took  from  abbots." 

When  Richard  returned  to  England  it  is  said 
that  he  forgave  Robin  Hood  and  attached  his 
yeomen  to  the  Royal  Guard.  But  on  Richard's 
death,  his  successor  John  drove  Robin  again  into 
outlawry  which  continued  until  Robin's  death. 
The  ruins  of  a  castle  are  still  shown  where  the 
outlaw  defied  the  King's  men ;  but  there  are 
also  many  hills,  woods,  rocks  and  caverns  which 
are  spoken  of  as  "  Robin  Hood's."  The  date  of 
his  death  has  been  set  down,  doubtfully,  as 
December  24,  1247,  Dut  tms  would  make  him  a 
very  old  man — too  old  to  do  the  deeds  of  strength 
ascribed  up  to  the  day  of  his  death.  One  of  the 
earliest  printed  ballads  gives  Robin  a  later 
period  and  asserts  that  it  was  not  King  Richard 
but  King  Edward  (one  of  the  first  three)  who 
pardoned  him  in  Sherwood  Forest. 


xiv  Introduction 

Maid  Marian  also  has  been  variously  identified 
as  a  figure  of  history.  She  is  said  to  have  been 
a  Mistress  Fitzwalter,  daughter  of  an  earl,  and  a 
tomb  is  still  pointed  out  as  hers. 

The  earliest  accounts  of  Robin  Hood  are  found 
in  ballads  and  songs  which  go  back  to  the  thir- 
teenth century.  As  this  was  before  printing  was 
known,  they  came  down  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration by  word  of  mouth.  Ballads  of  this  na- 
ture were  very  popular  at  festivals  and  public 
gatherings.  They  were  usually  improvised  by 
some  chief  singer  who  found  his  theme  in  a  well- 
known  event,  and  all  his  listeners  joined  in  the 
chorus,  keeping  time  to  the  rhythm  of  the  lines 
by  patting  their  feet  or  dancing  upon  the  village 
green.  The  popularity  of  the  Robin  Hood 
songs,  and  belief  in  this  hero,  are  shown  by  the 
numerous  examples  which  have  come  down  to 
our  own  day  while  songs  on  many  other  subjects 
were  forgotten. 

The  first  historical  allusion  to  Robin  Hood  is 
found  in  a  book  called  "  Piers  Ploughman " 
(written  about  1 362),  where  his  rhymes  are  men- 
tioned as  being  well  known.  The  next  notice  is 
in  Wyntown's  "  Scottish  Chronicle  "  (about  1420), 
where  both  Robin  Hood  and  Little  John  are 
ascribed  to  the  year  1283.  In  Fordun  and 


Introduction  xv 

Bower's  "  Scotichronicon,"  a  fifteenth  century 
work,  the  two  outlaws  are  said  to  have  lived  in 
1266.  Mair,  the  Scottish  writer  of  the  first 
quarter  of  the  sixteenth  century — who  is  quoted 
above — is  the  next  to  mention  Robin  Hood, 
giving  him,  in  the  "  History  of  Great  Britain,"  a 
period  during  the  life  of  Richard  I,  which  is  now 
generally  accepted. 

Caxton  introduced  the  art  of  printing  into 
England  in  1477,  and  one  of  the  earliest  books 
published  thereafter  was  a  collection  of  Robin 
Hood  ballads  (between  1489  and  1510)  entitled: 
"  Here  beginneth  a  little  geste  of  Robin  Hood 
and  his  meiny  :  and  of  the  proud  sheriff  of  Not- 
tingham." The  book  was  printed  by  Wynken 
de  Worde.  Toward  the  end  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  Anthony  Munday  wrote  his  successful 
play  of  "  The  Downfall  of  Robert,  Earl  of  Hunt- 
ingdon." This  play  and  the  doubtful  epitaph 
quoted  in  the  last  story  are  the  chief  grounds  for 
supposing  that  Robin  Hood  was  ever  anything 
more  than  a  simple  yeoman. 

In  1 832,  the  industrious  scholar  Joseph  Ritson 
made  the  first  anthology  of  this  material,  in  a 
book  entitled  :  "  Robin  Hood :  a  Collection  of 
Poems,  Songs,  and  Ballads,"  which  was  prefaced 
by  a  Life.  Ritson's  book  has  been  largely  fol- 


xvi  Introduction 

lowed  by  succeeding  writers.  In  1853,  appeared 
a  collection  of  the  ballads  with  "  A  Historical 
Sketch  of  Robin  Hood,"  by  William  W.  Camp- 
bell. A  later  library  of "  English  and  Scottish 
Ballads,"  edited  by  Francis  James  Child,  presents 
a  full  collection  of  Robin  Hood  songs  in  connec- 
tion with  other  subjects.  Edward  Arber's  "  Eng- 
lish Garner  "  gives  the  "  Little  Geste,"  as  also 
does  John  M.  Gutch's  edition  of  these  and  other 
ballads. 

In  the  present  prose  stories,  the  old  ballads 
have  been  followed  for  their  spirit  and  main 
situations.  The  idea  has  been  to  weave  them 
together  to  form  one  continuous  narrative,  mak- 
ing a  complete,  consistent  picture  of  the  great 
outlaw's  life  in  the  forest.  Every  story  is  begun 
by  verses  from  the  ballad  upon  which  it  is  based, 
and  frequently  throughout  the  pages  the  exact 
language  is  used.  Incidents  are  told  more  fully 
than  could  be  done  in  the  rhymed  original,  but 
always  in  line  with  what  is  naturally  suggested 
between  the  verses.  And  if  any  of  the  appeal 
and  charm  of  those  original  verses — their  bub- 
bling humor,  simple  gaiety,  dash,  swing,  and  the 
fragrance  of  growing  things  upon  a  fresh  May 
morning — have  passed  into  these  lines  of  prose, 


Introduction  xvii 

the  writer  will  feel  more  than  repaid  for  a  labor 
which  throughout  was  one  of  fascination  and 
deep  interest. 

J.  W.  M. 

New  York  City, 
July,  1904. 


Stories  of  Robin  Hood 


CHAPTER  I 
HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  BECAME  AN  OUTLAW 

List  and  hearken,  gentlemen, 

That  be  of  free-born  blood, 
I  shall  you  tell  of  a  good  yeoman, 

His  name  was  Robin  Hood. 

Robin  was  a  proud  outlaw, 
While  as  he  walked  on  the  ground : 

So  courteous  an  outlaw  as  he  was  one 
Was  never  none  else  found. 

IN   the  days  of  good  King  Harry  the  Sec- 
ond of  England — he  of  the  warring  sons — 
there    were    certain    forests    in    the    north 
country  set  aside  for  the  King's  hunting,  and  no 
man  might  shoot  deer  therein  under  penalty  of 
death.     These  forests  were  guarded  by  the  King's 
Foresters,  the  chief  of  whom,  in  each  wood,  was 
no    mean    man   but   equal   in   authority  to  the 
Sheriff  in  his  walled  town,  or  even  to  my  lord 
Bishop  in  his  abbey. 


2  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

One  of  the  greatest  of  royal  preserves  was 
Sherwood  and  Barnesdale  forests  near  the  two 
towns  of  Nottingham  and  Barnesdale.  Here  for 
some  years  dwelt  one,  Hugh  Fitzooth  as  Head 
Forester,  with  his  good  wife  and  little  son  Robert. 
The  boy  had  been  born  in  Lockesley  town — in 
the  year  1160,  stern  records  say, — and  was  often 
called  Lockesley,  or  Rob  of  Lockesley.  He  was 
a  comely,  well-knit  stripling,  and  as  soon  as  he 
was  strong  enough  to  walk  his  chief  delight  was 
to  go  with  his  father  into  the  forest.  As  soon  as 
his  right  arm  received  thew  and  sinew  he  learned 
to  draw  the  long  bow  and  speed  a  true  arrow. 
While  on  winter  evenings  his  greatest  joy  was  to 
hear  his  father  tell  of  bold  Will  o'  the  Green,  the 
outlaw,  who  for  many  summers  defied  the  King's 
Foresters  and  feasted  with  his  men  upon  King's 
deer.  And  on  other  stormy  days  the  boy 
learned  to  whittle  out  a  straight  shaft  for  the 
long  bow,  and  tip  it  with  gray  goose  feathers. 

The  fond  mother  sighed  when  she  saw  the 
boy's  face  light  up  at  these  woodland  tales.  She 
was  of  gentle  birth,  and  had  hoped  to  see  her 
son  famous  at  court  or  abbey.  She  taught  him 
to  read  and  to  write,  to  doff  his  cap  without 
awkwardness  and  to  answer  directly  and  truth- 
fully both  lord  and  peasant.  But  the  boy, 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw     3 

although  he  took  kindly  to  these  lessons  of 
breeding,  was  yet  happiest  when  he  had  his  be- 
loved bow  in  hand  and  strolled  at  will,  listening 
to  the  murmur  of  the  trees. 

Two  playmates  had  Rob  in  these  gladsome 
early  days.  One  was  Will  Gamewell,  his  father's 
brother's  son,  who  lived  at  Gamewell  Lodge, 
hard  by  Nottingham  town.  The  other  was 
Marian  Fitzwalter,  only  child  of  the  Earl  of 
Huntingdon.  The  castle  of  Huntingdon  could 
be  seen  from  the  top  of  one  of  the  tall  trees  in 
Sherwood;  and  on  more  than  one  bright  day 
Rob's  white  signal  from  this  tree  told  Marian 
that  he  awaited  her  there :  for  you  must  know 
that  Rob  did  not  visit  her  at  the  castle.  His 
father  and  her  father  were  enemies.  Some  peo- 
ple whispered  that  Hugh  Fitzooth  was  the  right- 
ful Earl  of  Huntingdon,  but  that  he  had  been 
defrauded  out  of  his  lands  by  Fitzwalter,  who 
had  won  the  King's  favor  by  a  crusade  to  the 
Holy  Land.  But  little  cared  Rob  or  Marian 
for  this  enmity,  however  it  had  arisen.  They 
knew  that  the  great  greenwood  was  open  to 
them,  and  that  the  wide,  wide  world  was  full  of 
the  scent  of  flowers  and  the  song  of  birds. 

Days  of  youth  speed  all  too  swiftly,  and 
troubled  skies  come  all  too  soon.  Rob's  father 


4  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

had  two  other  enemies  besides  Fitzvvalter,  in  the 
persons  of  the  lean  Sheriff  of  Nottingham  and 
the  fat  Bishop  of  Hereford.  These  three  enemies 
one  day  got  possession  of  the  King's  ear  and 
whispered  therein  to  such  good — or  evil — pur- 
pose that  Hugh  Fitzooth  was  removed  from  his 
post  of  King's  Forester.  He  and  his  wife  and 
Rob,  then  a  youth  of  nineteen,  were  descended 
upon,  during  a  cold  winter's  evening,  and  dis- 
possessed without  warning.  The  Sheriff  arrested 
the  Forester  for  treason, — of  which,  poor  man, 
he  was  as  guiltless  as  you  or  I, — and  carried  him 
to  Nottingham  jail.  Rob  and  his  mother  were 
sheltered  over  night  in  the  jail,  also,  but  next 
morning  were  roughly  bade  to  go  about  their 
business.  Thereupon  they  turned  for  succor  to 
their  only  kinsman,  Squire  George  of  Gamewell, 
who  sheltered  them  in  all  kindness. 

But  the  shock,  and  the  winter  night's  journey, 
proved  too  much  for  Dame  Fitzooth.  She  had 
not  been  strong  for  some  time  before  leaving  the 
forest.  In  less  than  two  months  she  was  no 
more.  Rob  felt  as  though  his  heart  was  broken 
at  this  loss.  But  scarcely  had  the  first  spring 
flowers  begun  to  blossom  upon  her  grave,  when 
he  met  another  crushing  blow  in  the  loss  of  his 
father.  That  stern  man  had  died  in  prison  be- 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw     5 

fore  his  accusers  could  agree  upon  the  charges 
by  which  he  was  to  be  brought  to  trial. 

Two  years  passed  by.  Rob's  cousin  Will  was 
away  at  school ;  and  Marian's  father,  who  had 
learned  of  her  friendship  with  Rob,  had  sent  his 
daughter  to  the  court  of  Queen  Eleanor.  So 
these  years  were  lonely  ones  to  the  orphaned  lad. 
The  bluff  old  Squire  was  kind  to  him,  but 
secretly  could  make  nothing  of  one  who  went 
about  brooding  and  as  though  seeking  for  some- 
thing he  had  lost.  The  truth  is  that  Rob  missed 
his  old  life  in  the  forest  no  less  than  his  mother's 
gentleness,  and  his  father's  companionship. 
Every  time  he  twanged  the  string  of  the  long 
bow  against  his  shoulder  and  heard  the  gray 
goose  shaft  sing,  it  told  him  of  happy  days  that 
he  could  not  recall. 

One  morning  as  Rob  came  in  to  breakfast,  his 
uncle  greeted  him  with,  "  I  have  news  for  you, 
Rob,  my  lad  !  "  and  the  hearty  old  Squire  finished 
his  draught  of  ale  and  set  his  pewter  tankard 
down  with  a  crash. 

"  What  may  that  be,  Uncle  Gamewell  ?  "  asked 
the  young  man. 

"  Here  is  a  chance  to  exercise  your  good  long 
bow  and  win  a  pretty  prize.  The  Fair  is  on  at 
Nottingham,  and  the  Sheriff  proclaims  an  archer's 


6  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

tournament.  The  best  fellows  are  to  have  places 
with  the  King's  Foresters,  and  the  one  who 
shoots  straightest  of  all  will  win  for  prize  a  golden 
arrow — a  useless  bauble  enough,  but  just  the 
thing  for  your  lady  love,  eh,  Rob  my  boy?" 
Here  the  Squire  laughed  and  whacked  the  table 
again  with  his  tankard. 

Rob's  eyes  sparkled.  "  'Twere  indeed  worth 
shooting  for,  uncle  mine,"  he  said.  "  I  should 
dearly  love  to  let  arrow  fly  alongside  another  man. 
And  a  place  among  the  Foresters  is  what  I  have 
long  desired.  Will  you  let  me  try  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure,"  rejoined  his  uncle.  "  Well  I 
know  that  your  good  mother  would  have  had  me 
make  a  clerk  of  you ;  but  well  I  see  that  the 
greenwood  is  where  you  will  pass  your  days. 
So,  here's  luck  to  you  in  the  bout !  "  And  the 
huge  tankard  came  a  third  time  into  play. 

The  young  man  thanked  his  uncle  for  his  good 
wishes,  and  set  about  making  preparations  for  the 
journey.  He  traveled  lightly ;  but  his  yew  bow 
must  needs  have  a  new  string,  and  his  cloth-yard 
arrows  must  be  of  the  straightest  and  soundest. 

One  fine  morning,  a  few  days  after,  Rob 
might  have  been  seen  passing  by  way  of  Lockes- 
ley  through  Sherwood  Forest  to  Nottingham 
town.  Briskly  walked  he  and  gaily,  for  his  hopes 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw     7 

were  high  and  never  an  enemy  had  he  in  the  wide 
world.  But  'twas  the  very  last  morning  in  all  his 
life  when  he  was  to  lack  an  enemy !  For,  as  he 
went  his  way  through  Sherwood,  whistling  a  blithe 
tune,  he  came  suddenly  upon  a  group  of  Fores- 
ters, making  merry  beneath  the  spreading 
branches  of  an  oak-tree.  They  had  a  huge  meat 
pie  before  them  and  were  washing  down  prodig- 
ious slices  of  it  with  nut  brown  ale. 

One  glance  at  the  leader  and  Rob  knew  at  once 
that  he  had  found  an  enemy.  'Twas  the  man 
who  had  usurped  his  father's  place  as  Head  Fores- 
ter, and  who  had  roughly  turned  his  mother  out 
in  the  snow.  But  never  a  word  said  he  for  good 
or  bad,  and  would  have  passed  on  his  way,  had 
not  this  man,  clearing  his  throat  with  a  huge  gulp, 
bellowed  out :  "  By  my  troth,  here  is  a  pretty 
little  archer !  Where  go  you,  my  lad,  with  that 
tupenny  bow  and  toy  arrows  ?  Belike  he  would 
shoot  at  Nottingham  Fair  !  Ho  !  Ho  !  " 

A  roar  of  laughter  greeted  this  sally.  Rob 
flushed,  for  he  was  mightily  proud  of  his  shooting. 

"  My  bow  is  as  good  as  yours,"  he  retorted, 
"  and  my  shafts  will  carry  as  straight  and  as  far. 
So  I'll  not  take  lessons  of  any  of  ye  !  " 

They  laughed  again  loudly  at  this,  and  the 
leader  said  with  a  frown  : 


8  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Show  us  some  of  your  skill,  and  if  you  can 
hit  the  mark  here's  twenty  silver  pennies  for  you. 
But  if  you  hit  it  not  you  are  in  for  a  sound  drub- 
bing for  your  pertness." 

"  Pick  your  own  target,"  quoth  Rob  in  a  fine 
rage.  "  I'll  lay  my  head  against  that  purse  that 
I  can  hit  it." 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  say,"  retorted  the  Forester 
angrily,  "  your  head  for  your  sauciness  that  you  hit 
not  my  target." 

Now  at  a  little  rise  in  the  wood  a  herd  of  deer 
came  grazing  by,  distant  full  fivescore  yards. 
They  were  King's  deer,  but  at  that  distance 
seemed  safe  from  any  harm.  The  Head  Forester 
pointed  to  them. 

"  If  your  young  arm  could  speed  a  shaft  for 
half  that  distance,  I'd  shoot  with  you." 

"  Done ! "  cried  Rob.  "  My  head  against 
twenty  pennies  I'll  cause  yon  fine  fellow  in  the 
lead  of  them  to  breathe  his  last." 

And  without  more  ado  he  tried  the  string  of 
his  long  bow,  placed  a  shaft  thereon,  and  drew  it 
to  his  ear.  A  moment,  and  the  quivering  string 
sang  death  as  the  shaft  whistled  across  the  glade. 
Another  moment  and  the  leader  of  the  herd  leaped 
high  in  his  tracks  and  fell  prone,  dyeing  the 
sward  with  his  heart's  blood. 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw     9 

A  murmur  of  amazement  swept  through  the 
Foresters,  and  then  a  growl  of  rage.  He  that  had 
wagered  was  angriest  of  all. 

"  Know  you  what  you  have  done,  rash  youth  ?  " 
he  said.  "  You  have  killed  a  King's  deer,  and  by 
the  laws  of  King  Harry  your  head  remains  for- 
feit. Talk  not  to  me  of  pennies  but  get  ye  gone 
straight,  and  let  me  not  look  upon  your  face 
again." 

Rob's  blood  boiled  within  him,  and  he  uttered 
a  rash  speech.  "  I  have  looked  upon  your  face 
once  too  often  already,  my  fine  Forester.  'Tis 
you  who  wear  my  father's  shoes." 

And  with  this  he  turned  upon  his  heel  and 
strode  away. 

The  Forester  heard  his  parting  thrust  with  an 
oath.  Red  with  rage  he  seized  his  bow,  strung  an 
arrow,  and  without  warning  launched  it  full  at 
Rob.  Well  was  it  for  the  latter  that  the  Forester's 
foot  turned  on  a  twig  at  the  critical  instant,  for  as 
it  was  the  arrow  whizzed  by  his  ear  so  close  as  to 
take  a  stray  strand  of  his  hair  with  it. 

Rob  turned  upon  his  assailant,  now  twoscore 
yards  away. 

"  Ha!"  said  he.  "You  shoot  not  so  straight 
as  I,  for  all  your  bravado.  Take  this  from  the 
tupenny  bow !  " 


lo  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Straight  flew  his  answering  shaft.  The  Head 
Forester  gave  one  cry  then  fell  face  downward  and 
lay  still.  His  life  had  avenged  Rob's  father,  but 
the  son  was  outlawed.  Forward  he  ran  through 
the  forest,  before  the  band  could  gather  their  scat- 
tered wits — still  forward  into  the  great  greenwood. 
The  swaying  trees  seemed  to  open  their  arms  to 
the  wanderer,  and  to  welcome  him  home. 

Toward  the  close  of  that  same  day,  Rob 
paused  hungry  and  weary  at  the  cottage  of  a 
poor  widow  who  dwelt  upon  the  outskirts  of  the 
forest.  Now  this  widow  had  often  greeted  him 
kindly  in  his  boyhood  days,  giving  him  to  eat 
and  drink.  So  he  boldly  entered  her  door. 
The  old  dame  was  right  glad  to  see  him,  and 
baked  him  cakes  in  the  ashes,  and  had  him  rest 
and  tell  her  his  story.  Then  she  shook  her 
head. 

"  Tis  an  evil  wind  that  blows  through  Sher- 
wood," she  said.  "  The  poor  are  despoiled  and 
the  rich  ride  over  their  bodies.  My  three  sons 
have  been  outlawed  for  shooting  King's  deer  to 
keep  us  from  starving,  and  now  hide  in  the 
wood.  And  they  tell  me  that  twoscore  of  as 
good  men  as  ever  drew  bow  are  in  hiding  with 
them." 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   1 1 

"  Where  are  they,  good  mother  ?  "  cried  Rob. 
"  By  my  faith,  I  will  join  them." 

"  Nay,  nay,"  replied  the  old  woman  at  first. 
But  when  she  saw  that  there  was  no  other  way, 
she  said  :  "  My  sons  will  visit  me  to-night.  Stay 
you  here  and  see  them  if  you  must." 

So  Rob  stayed  willingly  to  see  the  widow's 
sons  that  night,  for  they  were  men  after  his  own 
heart.  And  when  they  found  that  his  mood  was 
with  them,  they  made  him  swear  an  oath  of 
fealty,  and  told  him  the  haunt  of  the  band — a 
place  he  knew  right  well.  Finally  one  of  them 
said: 

"  But  the  band  lacks  a  leader, — one  who  can 
use  his  head  as  well  as  his  hand.  So  we  have 
agreed  that  he  who  has  skill  enough  to  go  to 
Nottingham,  an  outlaw,  and  win  the  prize  at 
archery,  shall  be  our  chief." 

Rob  sprang  to  his  feet.  "  Said  in  good  time  ! " 
cried  he,  "  for  I  had  started  to  that  self-same 
Fair,  and  all  the  Foresters,  and  all  the  Sheriff's 
men  in  Christendom  shall  not  stand  between  me 
and  the  centre  of  their  target !  " 

And  though  he  was  but  barely  grown  he 
stood  so  straight  and  his  eye  flashed  with  such 
fire  that  the  three  brothers  seized  his  hand  and 
shouted : 


12  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  A  Lockesley !  a  Lockesley !  if  you  win  the 
golden  arrow  you  shall  be  chief  of  outlaws  in 
Sherwood  Forest !  " 

So  Rob  fell  to  planning  how  he  could  disguise 
himself  to  go  to  Nottingham  town  ;  for  he  knew 
that  the  Foresters  had  even  then  set  a  price  on 
his  head  in  the  market-place. 

It  was  even  as  Rob  had  surmised.  The  Sheriff 
of  Nottingham  posted  a  reward  of  two  hundred 
pounds  for  the  capture,  dead  or  alive,  of  one 
Robert  Fitzooth,  outlaw.  And  the  crowds 
thronging  the  streets  upon  that  busy  Fair  day 
often  paused  to  read  the  notice  and  talk  together 
about  the  death  of  the  Head  Forester. 

But  what  with  wrestling  bouts  and  bouts  with 
quarter-staves,  and  wandering  minstrels,  there 
came  up  so  many  other  things  to  talk  about,  that 
the  reward  was  forgotten  for  the  nonce,  and  only 
the  Foresters  and  Sheriff's  men  watched  the 
gates  with  diligence,  the  Sheriff  indeed  spurring 
them  to  effort  by  offers  of  largess.  His  hatred 
of  the  father  had  descended  to  the  son. 

The  great  event  of  the  day  came  in  the  after- 
noon. It  was  the  archer's  contest  for  the  golden 
arrow,  and  twenty  men  stepped  forth  to  shoot. 
Among  them  was  a  beggar-man,  a  sorry  looking 


Mow  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   13 

fellow  with  leggings  of  different  colors,  and 
brown  scratched  face  and  hands.  Over  a  tawny 
shock  of  hair  he  had  a  hood  drawn,  much  like 
that  of  a  monk.  Slowly  he  limped  to  his  place 
in  the  line,  while  the  mob  shouted  in  derision. 
But  the  contest  was  open  to  all  comers,  so  no 
man  said  him  nay. 

Side  by  side  with  Rob — for  it  was  he — stood  a 
muscular  fellow  of  swarthy  visage  and  with  one 
eye  hid  by  a  green  bandage.  Him  also  the 
crowd  jeered,  but  he  passed  them  by  with  in- 
difference while  he  tried  his  bow  with  practiced 
hand. 

A  great  crowd  had  assembled  in  the  amphi- 
theatre enclosing  the  lists.  All  the  gentry  and 
populace  of  the  surrounding  country  were  gath- 
ered there  in  eager  expectancy.  The  central  box 
contained  the  lean,  but  pompous  Sheriff,  his  be- 
jeweled  wife,  and  their  daughter,  a  supercilious 
young  woman  enough,  who,  it  was  openly  hinted, 
was  hoping  to  receive  the  golden  arrow  from  the 
victor  and  thus  be  crowned  queen  of  the  day. 

Next  to  the  Sheriff's  box  was  one  occupied 
by  the  fat  Bishop  of  Hereford  ;  while  on  the  other 
side  was  a  box  wherein  sat  a  girl  whose  dark  hair, 
dark  eyes,  and  fair  features  caused  Rob's  heart 
to  leap.  'Twas  Maid  Marian !  She  had  come 


14  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

up  for  a  visit  from  the  Queen's  court  at  London 
town,  and  now  sat  demurely  by  her  father,  the 
Earl  of  Huntingdon.  If  Rob  had  been  grimly 
resolved  to  win  the  arrow  before,  the  sight  of  her 
sweet  face  multiplied  his  determination  an  hun- 
dredfold. He  felt  his  muscles  tightening  into 
bands  of  steel,  tense  and  true.  Yet  withal  his 
heart  would  throb,  making  him  quake  in  a  most 
unaccountable  way. 

Then  the  trumpet  sounded,  and  the  crowd  be- 
came silent  while  the  herald  announced  the  terms 
of  the  contest.  The  lists  were  open  to  all  comers. 
The  first  target  was  to  be  placed  at  thirty  ells 
distance,  and  all  those  who  hit  its  centre  were 
allowed  to  shoot  at  the  second  target,  placed  ten 
ells  farther  off*.  The  third  target  was  to  be  re- 
moved yet  farther,  until  the  winner  was  proved. 
The  winner  was  to  receive  the  golden  arrow,  and 
a  place  with  the  King's  Foresters.  He  it  was 
also  who  crowned  the  queen  of  the  day. 

The  trumpet  sounded  again,  and  the  archers 
prepared  to  shoot.  Rob  looked  to  his  string, 
while  the  crowd  smiled  and  whispered  at  the  odd 
figure  he  cut,  with  his  van-colored  legs  and  little 
cape.  But  as  the  first  man  shot,  they  grew  silent. 

The  target  was  not  so  far  but  that  twelve  out 
of  the  twenty  contestants  reached  its  inner  circle. 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   15 

Rob  shot  sixth  in  the  line  and  landed  fairly,  be- 
ing rewarded  by  an  approving  grunt  from  the 
man  with  the  green  blinder,  who  shot  seventh, 
and  with  apparent  carelessness,  yet  true  to  the 
bull's-eye. 

The  mob  cheered  and  yelled  themselves  hoarse 
at  this  even  marksmanship.  The  trumpet 
sounded  again,  and  a  new  target  was  set  up  at 
forty  ells. 

The  first  three  archers  again  struck  true,  amid 
the  loud  applause  of  the  onlookers  ;  for  they  were 
general  favorites  and  expected  to  win.  Indeed 
'twas  whispered  that  each  was  backed  by  one  of 
the  three  dignitaries  of  the  day.  The  fourth 
and  fifth  archers  barely  grazed  the  centre.  Rob 
fitted  his  arrow  quietly  and  with  some  confidence 
sped  it  unerringly  toward  the  shining  circle. 

"  The  beggar  !  the  beggar  !  "  yelled  the  crowd  ; 
"  another  bull  for  the  beggar  !  " 

In  truth  his  shaft  was  nearer  the  centre  than 
any  of  the  others.  But  it  was  not  so  near  that 
"  Blinder/'  as  the  mob  had  promptly  christened 
his  neighbor,  did  not  place  his  shaft  just  within 
the  mark.  Again  the  crowd  cheered  wildly. 
Such  shooting  as  this  was  not  seen  every  day  in 
Nottingham  town. 

The  other  archers  in  this  round  were  discon- 


16  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

certed  by  the  preceding  shots,  or  unable  to  keep 
the  pace.  They  missed  one  after  another  and 
dropped  moodily  back,  while  the  trumpet 
sounded  for  the  third  round,  and  the  target  was 
set  up  fifty  ells  distant. 

"  By  my  halidom  you  draw  a  good  bow,  young 
master,"  said  Rob's  queer  comrade  to  him  in  the 
interval  allowed  for  rest.  "  Do  you  wish  me  to 
shoot  first  on  this  trial  ?  " 

"  Nay,"  said  Rob,  "  but  you  are  a  good  fellow 
by  this  token,  and  if  I  win  not,  I  hope  you  may 
keep  the  prize  from  yon  strutters."  And  he 
nodded  scornfully  to  the  three  other  archers  who 
were  surrounded  by  their  admirers,  and  were  be- 
ing made  much  of  by  retainers  of  the  Sheriff,  the 
Bishop,  and  the  Earl.  From  them  his  eye 
wandered  toward  Maid  Marian's  booth.  She 
had  been  watching  him,  it  seemed,  for  their  eyes 
met ;  then  hers  were  hastily  averted. 

"  Blinder's  "  quick  eye  followed  those  of  Rob. 
"  A  fair  maid,  that,"  he  said  smilingly,  "  and  one 
more  worthy  the  golden  arrow  than  the  Sheriff's 
haughty  miss." 

Rob  looked  at  him  swiftly,  and  saw  naught  but 
kindliness  in  his  glance. 

"  You  are  a  shrewd  fellow  and  I  like  you  well/' 
was  his  only  comment. 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   17 

Now  the  archers  prepared  to  shoot  again,  each 
with  some  little  care.  The  target  seemed  hardly 
larger  than  the  inner  ring  had  looked,  at  the  first 
trial.  The  first  three  sped  their  shafts,  and  while 
they  were  fair  shots  they  did  not  more  than  graze 
the  inner  circle. 

Rob  took  his  stand  with  some  misgiving. 
Some  flecking  clouds  overhead  made  the  light 
uncertain,  and  a  handful  of  wind  frolicked  across 
the  range  in  a  way  quite  disturbing  to  a  bow- 
man's nerves.  His  eyes  wandered  for  a  brief 
moment  to  the  box  wherein  sat  the  dark-eyed 
girl.  His  heart  leaped  !  she  met  his  glance  and 
smiled  at  him  reassuringly.  And  in  that  mo- 
ment he  felt  that  she  knew  him  despite  his  dis- 
guise and  looked  to  him  to  keep  the  honor  of  old 
Sherwood.  He  drew  his  bow  firmly  and,  taking 
advantage  of  a  momentary  lull  in  the  breeze, 
launched  the  arrow  straight  and  true — singing 
across  the  range  to  the  centre  of  the  target. 

"  The  beggar  !  the  beggar !  a  bull !  a  bull !  " 
yelled  the  fickle  mob,  who  from  jeering  him  were 
now  his  warm  friends.  "  Can  you  beat  that, 
Blinder?" 

The  last  archer  smiled  scornfully  and  made 
ready.  He  drew  his  bow  with  ease  and  grace 
and,  without  seeming  to  study  the  course,  re- 


1 8  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

leased  the  winged  arrow.  Forward  it  leaped 
toward  the  target,  and  all  eyes  followed  its 
flight.  A  loud  uproar  broke  forth  when  it 
alighted,  just  without  the  centre  and  grazing  the 
shaft  sent  by  Rob.  The  stranger  made  a  jesture 
of  surprise  when  his  own  eyes  announced  the  re- 
sult to  him,  but  saw  his  error.  He  had  not 
allowed  for  the  fickle  gust  of  wind  which  seized 
the  arrow  and  carried  it  to  one  side.  But  for  all 
that  he  was  the  first  to  congratulate  the  victor. 

"  I  hope  we  may  shoot  again,"  quoth  he.  "  In 
truth  I  care  not  for  the  golden  bauble  and  wished 
to  win  it  in  despite  of  the  Sheriff  for  whom  I 
have  no  love.  Now  crown  the  lady  of  your 
choice."  And  turning  suddenly  he  was  lost  in 
the  crowd,  before  Rob  could  utter  what  it  was 
upon  his  lips  to  say,  that  he  would  shoot  again 
with  him. 

And  now  the  herald  summoned  Rob  to  the 
Sheriff's  box  to  receive  the  prize. 

"  You  are  a  curious  fellow  enough,"  said  the 
Sheriff  biting  his  lip  coldly  ;  "  yet  you  shoot  well. 
What  name  go  you  by  ?  " 

Marian  sat  near  and  was  listening  intently. 

"  I  am  called  Rob  the  Stroller,  my  Lord 
Sheriff,"  said  the  archer. 

Marian  leaned  back  and  smiled. 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw   19 

"  Well,  Rob  the  Stroller,  with  a  little  attention 
to  your  skin  and  clothes  you  would  not  be  so 
bad  a  man,"  said  the  Sheriff.  "  How  like  you 
the  idea  of  entering  my  service?  " 

"  Rob  the  Stroller  has  ever  been  a  free  man, 
my  Lord,  and  desires  no  service." 

The  Sheriff's  brow  darkened,  yet  for  the  sake 
of  his  daughter  and  the  golden  arrow,  he  dis- 
sembled. 

"  Rob  the  Stroller,"  said  he,  "  here  is  the 
golden  arrow  which  has  been  offered  to  the  best 
of  archers  this  day.  You  are  awarded  the  prize. 
See  that  you  bestow  it  worthily." 

At  this  point  the  herald  nudged  Rob  and  half 
inclined  his  head  toward  the  Sheriff's  daughter, 
who  sat  with  a  thin  smile  upon  her  lips.  But 
Rob  heeded  him  not.  He  took  the  arrow  and 
strode  to  the  next  box  where  sat  Maid  Marian. 

"  Lady,"  he  said,  "  pray  accept  this  little  pledge 
from  a  poor  stroller  who  would  devote  the  best 
shafts  in  his  quiver  to  serve  you." 

"  My  thanks  to  you,  Rob  in  the  Hood,"  re- 
plied she  with  a  roguish  twinkle  in  her  eye ;  and 
she  placed  the  gleaming  arrow  in  her  head,  while 
the  people  shouted,  "  The  Queen  !  the  Queen  !  " 

The  Sheriff  glowered  furiously  upon  this  rag- 
ged archer  who  had  refused  his  service,  taken  his 


2o  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

prize  without  a  word  of  thanks,  and  snubbed  his 
daughter.  He  would  have  spoken,  but  his  proud 
daughter  restrained  him.  He  called  to  his  guard 
and  bade  them  watch  the  beggar.  But  Rob  had 
already  turned  swiftly,  lost  himself  in  the  throng, 
and  headed  straight  for  the  town  gate. 

That  same  evening  within  a  forest  glade  a 
group  of  men — some  twoscore  clad  in  Lincoln 
green — sat  round  a  fire  roasting  venison  and 
making  merry.  Suddenly  a  twig  crackled  and 
they  sprang  to  their  feet  and  seized  their  weapons. 

"  I  look  for  the  widow's  sons,"  a  clear  voice 
said,  "  and  I  come  alone." 

Instantly  the  three  men  stepped  forward. 

"  Tis  Rob  !  "  they  cried  ;  "  welcome  to  Sher- 
wood Forest,  Rob  !  "  And  all  the  men  came  and 
greeted  him  ;  for  they  had  heard  his  story. 

Then  one  of  the  widow's  sons,  Stout  Will, 
stepped  forth  and  said : 

"  Comrades  all,  ye  know  that  our  band  has 
sadly  lacked  a  leader — one  of  birth,  breeding,  and 
skill.  Belike  we  have  found  that  leader  in  this 
young  man.  And  I  and  my  brothers  have  told 
him  that  the  band  would  choose  that  one  who 
should  bring  the  Sheriff  to  shame  this  day  and 
capture  his  golden  arrow.  It  is  not  so  ?  " 


How  Robin  Hood  Became  an  Outlaw  21 

The  band  gave  assent 

Will  turned  to  Rob.  "  What  news  bring  you 
from  Nottingham  town  ?  "  asked  he. 

Rob  laughed.  "  In  truth  I  brought  the  Sheriff 
to  shame  for  mine  own  pleasure,  and  won  his 
golden  arrow  to  boot.  But  as  to  the  prize  ye 
must  e'en  take  my  word,  for  I  bestowed  it  upon 
a  maid." 

And  seeing  the  men  stood  in  doubt  at  this, 
he  continued  :  "  But  I'll  gladly  join  your  band, 
and  you  take  me,  as  a  common  archer.  For 
there  are  others  older  and  mayhap  more  skilled 
than  I." 

Then  stepped  one  forward  from  the  rest,  a 
tall  swarthy  man.  And  Rob  recognized  him 
as  the  man  with  the  green  blinder;  only  this 
was  now  removed,  and  his  freed  eye  gleamed  as 
stoutly  as  the  other  one. 

"  Rob  in  the  Hood — for  such  the  lady  called 
you," — said  he,  "  I  can  vouch  for  your  tale.  You 
shamed  the  Sheriff  e'en  as  I  had  hoped  to  do ; 
and  we  can  forego  the  golden  arrow  since  it  is  in 
such  fair  hands.  As  to  your  shooting  and  mine, 
we  must  let  future  days  decide.  But  here  I, 
Will  Stutely,  declare  that  I  will  serve  none  other 
chief  save  only  you." 

Then  good  Will   Stutely  told  the  outlaws  of 


22  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Rob's  deeds,  and  gave  him  his  hand  of  fealty.  And 
the  widow's  sons  did  likewise,  and  the  other 
members  every  one,  right  gladly ;  because  Will 
Stutely  had  heretofore  been  the  truest  bow  in  all 
the  company.  And  they  toasted  him  in  nut 
brown  ale,  and  hailed  him  as  their  leader,  by  the 
name  of  Robin  Hood.  And  he  accepted  that 
name  because  Maid  Marian  had  said  it. 

By  the  light  of  the  camp-fire  the  band  ex- 
changed signs  and  passwords.  They  gave 
Robin  Hood  a  horn  upon  which  he  was  to  blow 
to  summon  them.  They  swore,  also,  that  while 
they  might  take  money  and  goods  from  the  un- 
just rich,  they  would  aid  and  befriend  the  poor 
and  the  helpless  ;  and  that  they  would  harm  no 
woman,  be  she  maid,  wife,  or  widow.  They 
swore  all  this  with  solemn  oaths,  while  they 
feasted  about  the  ruddy  blaze,  under  the  green- 
wood tree. 

And  that  is  how  Robin  Hood  became  an  out- 
law. 


CHAPTER  II 
HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  MET  LITTLE  JOHN 

"  O  here  is  my  hand,"  the  stranger  reply'd, 

"  I'll  serve  you  with  all  my  whole  heart : 
My  name  is  John  Little,  a  man  of  good  mettle ; 
Ne'er  doubt  me  for  I'll  play  my  part." 

"  His  name  shall  be  altered,"  quoth  William  Stutely, 

"  And  I  will  his  godfather  be  : 
Prepare  then  a  feast,  and  none  of  the  least, 
For  we  will  be  merry,"  quoth  he. 

ALL  that  summer  Robin  Hood  and  his 
merry  men  roamed  in  Sherwood  Forest 9 
and  the  fame  of  their  deeds  ran  abroad  in 
the  land.     The    Sheriff  of  Nottingham    waxed 
wroth   at  the  report,  but  all  his  traps  and  ex- 
cursions failed  to  catch  the  outlaws.     The  poor 
people  began  by  fearing  them,  but  when  they 
found  that  the  men   in  Lincoln  green  who  an- 
swered Robin  Hood's  horn  meant  them  no  harm, 
but    despoiled    the    oppresser  to  relieve  the  op- 
pressed, they  'gan  to  have  great  liking  for  them. 
And  the  band   increased   by  other  stout  hearts 
23 


24  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

till  by  the  end  of  the  summer  fourscore  good 
men  and  true  had  sworn  fealty. 

But  the  days  of  quiet  which  came  on  grew 
irksome  to  Robin's  adventurous  spirit.  Up 
rose  he,  one  gay  morn,  and  slung  his  quiver  over 
his  shoulders. 

"  This  fresh  breeze  stirs  the  blood,  my 
lads,"  quoth  he,  "  and  I  would  be  seeing  what 
the  gay  world  looks  like  in  the  direction  of 
Nottingham  town.  But  tarry  ye  behind  in  the 
borders  of  the  forest,  within  earshot  of  my  bugle 
call." 

Thus  saying  he  strode  merrily  forward  to  the 
edge  of  the  wood,  and  paused  there  a  moment, 
his  agile  form  erect,  his  brown  locks  flowing  and 
his  brown  eyes  watching  the  road ;  and  a  goodly 
sight  he  made,  as  the  wind  blew  the  ruddy  color 
into  his  cheeks. 

The  highway  led  clear  in  the  direction  of  the 
town,  and  thither  he  boldly  directed  his  steps. 
But  at  a  bend  in  the  road  he  knew  of  a  by-path 
leading  across  a  brook  which  made  the  way 
nearer  and  less  open,  into  which  he  turned.  As 
he  approached  the  stream  he  saw  that  it  had  be- 
come swollen  by  recent  rains  into  quite  a  pretty 
torrent.  The  log  foot-bridge  was  still  there,  but 
at  this  end  of  it  a  puddle  intervened  which  could 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Little  John    25 

oe  crossed  only  with  a  leap,  if  you  would  not 
get  your  feet  wet. 

But  Robin  cared  little  for  such  a  handicap. 
Taking  a  running  start,  his  nimble  legs  carried 
him  easily  over  and  balanced  neatly  upon  the 
end  of  the  broad  log.  But  he  was  no  sooner 
started  across  than  he  saw  a  tall  stranger  coming 
from  the  other  side.  Thereupon  Robin  quick- 
ened his  pace,  and  the  stranger  did  likewise, 
each  thinking  to  cross  first.  Midway  they  met, 
and  neither  would  yield  an  inch. 

"Give  way,  fellow!"  roared  Robin,  whose 
leadership  of  a  band,  I  am  afraid,  had  not  tended 
to  mend  his  manners. 

The  stranger  smiled.  He  was  almost  a  head 
taller  than  the  other. 

"  Nay,"  he  retorted,  "  fair  and  softly  !  I  give 
way  only  to  a  better  man  than  myself." 

"  Give  way,  I  say,"  repeated  Robin, "  or  I  shall 
have  to  show  you  a  better  man." 

His  opponent  budged  not  an  inch,  but  laughed 
loudly.  "  Now  by  my  halidom  !  "  he  said  good- 
naturedly,  "  I  would  not  move  after  hearing  that 
speech,  even  if  minded  to  it  before ;  for  this  bet- 
ter man  I  have  sought  my  life  long.  Therefore 
show  him  to  me,  an  it  please  you." 

"  That  will  I  right  soon,"  quoth  Robin.    "  Stay 


26  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

you  here  a  little  while,  till  I  cut  me  a  cudgel  like 
unto  that  you  have  been  twiddling  in  your  fin- 
gers." So  saying  he  sought  his  own  bank  again 
with  a  leap,  laid  aside  his  long  bow  and  arrows, 
and  cut  him  a  stout  staff  of  oak,  straight,  knot- 
less,  and  a  good  six  feet  in  length.  But  still  it 
was  a  full  foot  shorter  than  his  opponent's. 
Then  back  came  he  boldly. 

"  I  mind  not  telling  you,  fellow,"  said  he,  "  that 
a  bout  with  archery  would  have  been  an  easier 
way  with  me.  But  there  are  other  tunes  in 
England  besides  that  the  arrow  sings."  Here  he 
whirred  the  staff  about  his  head  by  way  of  prac- 
tice. "  So  make  you  ready  for  the  tune  I  am 
about  to  play  upon  your  ribs.  Have  at  you  ! 
One,  two " 

"  Three  !  "  roared  the  giant  smiting  at  him  in- 
stantly. 

Well  was  it  for  Robin  that  he  was  quick  and 
nimble  of  foot ;  for  the  blow  that  grazed  a  hair's 
breadth  from  his  shoulder  would  have  felled  an 
ox.  Nevertheless  while  swerving  to  avoid  this 
stroke,  Robin  was  poising  for  his  own,  and  back 
came  he  forthwith — whack  ! 

Whack  !  parried  the  other. 

Whack  !  whack  !  whack  !  whack  ! 

The   fight   waxed   fast   and   furious.     It   was 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Little  John    27 

strength  pitted  against  subtlety  and  the  match 
was  a  merry  one.  The  mighty  blows  of  the 
stranger  went  whistling  around  Robin's  ducking 
head,  while  his  own  swift  undercuts  were  fain  to 
give  the  other  an  attack  of  indigestion.  Yet 
each  stood  firmly  in  his  place  not  moving  back- 
ward or  forward  a  foot  for  a  good  half  hour, 
nor  thinking  of  crying  "  Enough  !  "  though  some 
chance  blow  seemed  likely  to  knock  one  or  the 
other  off  the  narrow  foot-bridge.  The  giant's 
face  was  getting  red  and  his  breath  came  snort- 
ing forth  like  a  bull's.  He  stepped  forward  with 
a  furious  onslaught  to  finish  this  audacious  fel- 
low. Robin  dodged  his  blows  lightly,  then 
sprang  in  swiftly  and  unexpectedly  and  dealt  the 
stranger  such  a  blow  upon  the  short  ribs  that 
you  would  have  sworn  the  tanner  was  trimming 
down  his  hides  for  market. 

The  stranger  reeled  and  came  within  an  ace  of 
falling,  but  regained  his  footing  right  quickly. 

"  By  my  life,  you  can  hit  hard ! 1>  he  gasped 
forth,  giving  back  a  blow  almost  while  he  was 
yet  staggering. 

This  blow  was  a  lucky  one.  It  caught  Robin 
off  his  guard.  His  stick  had  rested  a  moment 
while  he  looked  to  see  the  giant  topple  into  the 
water,  when  down  came  the  other  upon  his 


28  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

head,  whack  !  Robin  saw  more  stars  in  that  one 
moment  than  all  the  astronomers  have  since  dis- 
covered, and  forthwith  he  dropped  neatly  into 
the  stream. 

The  cool  rushing  current  quickly  brought  him 
to  his  senses,  howbeit  he  was  still  so  dazed  that 
he  groped  blindly  for  the  swaying  reeds  to  pull 
himself  up  on  the  bank.  His  assailant  could  not 
forbear  laughing  heartily  at  his  plight,  but  was 
also  quick  to  lend  his  aid.  He  thrust  down  his 
long  staff  to  Robin  crying,  "  Lay  hold  of  that,  an 
your  fists  whirl  not  so  much  as  your  head  !  " 

Robin  laid  hold  and  was  hauled  to  dry  land 
for  all  the  world  like  a  fish,  except  that  the  fish 
would  never  have  come  forth  so  wet  and  drip- 
ping. He  lay  upon  the  warm  bank  for  a  space 
to  regain  his  senses.  Then  he  sat  up  and 
gravely  rubbed  his  pate. 

"  By  all  the  saints !  "  said  he,  "  you  hit  full 
stoutly.  My  head  hums  like  a  hive  of  bees  on  a 
summer  morning." 

Then  he  seized  his  horn,  which  lay  near,  and 
blew  thereon  three  shrill  notes  that  echoed  against 
the  trees.  A  moment  of  silence  ensued,  and  then 
was  heard  the  rustling  of  leaves  and  crackling  of 
twigs  like  the  coming  of  many  men ;  and  forth 
from  the  glade  burst  a  score  or  two  of  stalwart 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Little  John    29 

yeomen,  all  clad  in  Lincoln  green,  like  Robin, 
with  good  Will  Stutely  and  the  widow's  three 
sons  at  their  head. 

"  Good  master,"  cried  Will  Stutely,  "  how  is 
this  ?  In  sooth  there  is  not  a  dry  thread  on  your 
body." 

"  Why,  marry,"  replied  Robin,  "  this  fellow 
would  not  let  me  pass  the  foot-bridge,  and  when 
I  tickled  him  in  the  ribs,  he  must  needs  answer 
by  a  pat  on  the  head  which  landed  me  over- 
board." 

"  Then  shall  he  taste  some  of  his  own  por- 
ridge," quoth  Will.  "  Seize  him,  lads  !  " 

"  Nay,  let  him  go  free,"  said  Robin.  "  The 
fight  was  a  fair  one  and  I  abide  by  it.  I  surmise 
you  also  are  quits  ?  "  he  continued  turning  to  the 
stranger  with  a  twinkling  eye. 

"  I  am  content,"  said  the  other,  "  for  verily  you 
now  have  the  best  end  of  the  cudgel.  Where- 
fore, I  like  you  well,  and  would  fain  know  your 
name." 

"  Why,"  said  Robin,  "  my  men  and  even  the 
Sheriff  of  Nottingham  know  me  as  Robin  Hood, 
the  outlaw." 

"  Then  am  I  right  sorry  that  I  beat  you,"  ex- 
claimed the  man,  "  for  I  was  on  my  way  to  seek 
you  and  to  try  to  join  your  merry  company.  But 


30  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

after  my  unmannerly  use  of  the  cudgel,  I  fear  we 
are  still  strangers." 

"  Nay,  never  say  it !  "  cried  Robin,  "  I  am  glad 
I  fell  in  with  you ;  though,  sooth  to  say,  I  did  all 
the  falling  ! " 

And  amid  a  general  laugh  the  two  men  clasped 
hands,  and  in  that  clasp  the  strong  friendship  of 
a  lifetime  was  begun. 

"  But  you  have  not  yet  told  us  your  name," 
said  Robin,  bethinking  himself. 

"  Whence  I  came,  men  call  me  John  Little." 

"  Enter  our  company  then,  John  Little  ;  enter 
and  welcome.  The  rites  are  few,  the  fee  is  large. 
We  ask  your  whole  mind  and  body  and  heart 
even  unto  death." 

"  I  give  the  bond,  upon  my  life,"  said  the  tall 
man. 

Thereupon  Will  Stutely,  who  loved  a  good  jest, 
spoke  up  and  said  :  "  The  infant  in  our  household 
must  be  christened,  and  I'll  stand  godfather. 
This  fair  little  stranger  is  so  small  of  bone  and 
sinew,  that  his  old  name  is  not  to  the  purpose." 
Here  he  paused  long  enough  to  fill  a  horn  in  the 
stream.  "  Hark  ye,  my  son," — standing  on  tip- 
toe to  splash  the  water  on  the  giant — "  take  your 
new  name  on  entering  the  forest.  I  christen  you 
Little  John." 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Little  John    31 

At  this  jest  the  men  roared  long  and  loud. 

"  Give  him  a  bow,  and  find  a  full  sheath  of  ar- 
rows for  Little  John,"  said  Robin  joyfully.  "  Can 
you  shoot  as  well  as  fence  with  the  staff,  my 
friend  ?  " 

"  I  have  hit  an  ash  twig  at  forty  yards,"  said 
Little  John. 

Thus  chatting  pleasantly  the  band  turned  back 
into  the  woodland  and  sought  their  secluded  dell, 
where  the  trees  were  the  thickest,  the  moss  was 
the  softest,  and  a  secret  path  led  to  a  cave,  at 
once  a  retreat  and  a  stronghold.  Here  under  a 
mighty  oak  they  found  the  rest  of  the  band,  some 
of  whom  had  come  in  with  a  brace  of  fat  does. 
And  here  they  built  a  ruddy  fire  and  sat  down  to 
the  meat  and  ale,  Robin  Hood  in  the  centre  with 
Will  Stutely  on  the  one  hand  and  Little  John  on 
the  other.  And  Robin  was  right  well  pleased 
with  the  day's  adventure,  even  though  he  had  got 
a  drubbing  ;  for  sore  ribs  and  heads  will  heal,  and 
'tis  not  every  day  that  one  can  find  a  recruit  as 
stout  of  bone  and  true  of  soul  as  Little  John. 


CHAPTER  III 

HOW  ROBIN    HOOD    TURNED    BUTCHER, 
AND  ENTERED  THE  SHERIFF'S  SERVICE 

The  butcher  he  answered  jolly  Robin, 

"  No  matter  where  I  do  dwell, 
For  a  butcher  arn  I,  and  to  Nottingham 

Am  I  going,  my  flesh  to  sell." 

THE    next    morning    the   weather    had 
turned    ill,   and    Robin    Hood's    band 
stayed    close   to  their  dry  and  friendly 
cave.     The  third  day  brought  a  diversion  in  the 
shape  of  a  trap  by  a  roving  party  of  the  Sheriff's 
men.     A  fine  stag  had  been  struck  down  by  one 
of  Will  Stutely's  fellows,  and  he  and  others  had 
stepped  forth  from  the  covert  to  seize  it,  when 
twenty  bowmen    from  Nottingham  appeared  at 
the   end    of  the    glade.     Down    dropped  Will's 
men  on  all  fours,  barely  in  time  to  hear  a  shower 
of  arrows  whistle  above  their  heads.     Then  from 
behind  the  friendly  trees  they  sent  back  such  a 
welcome  that  the  Sheriff's  men  deemed  it  pru- 
32 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    33 

dent  not  to  tarry  in  their  steps.  Two  of  them,  in 
sooth,  bore  back  unpleasant  wounds  in  their 
shoulders,  from  the  encounter. 

When  they  returned  to  town  the  Sheriff  waxed 
red  with  rage. 

"  What,"  he  gasped,  "  do  my  men  fear  to  fight 
this  Robin  Hood,  face  to  face  ?  Would  that  / 
could  get  him  within  my  reach,  once.  We  should 
see  then  ;  we  should  see  !  " 

What  it  was  the  Sheriff  would  see,  he  did  not 
state.  But  he  was  to  have  his  wish  granted  in 
short  space,  and  you  and  I  will  see  how  he  prof- 
ited by  it. 

The  fourth  day  and  the  one  following  this 
friendly  bout,  Little  John  was  missing.  One  of 
his  men  said  that  he  saw  him  talking  with  a 
beggar,  but  did  not  know  whither  they  had  gone. 
Two  more  days  passed.  Robin  grew  uneasy. 
He  did  not  doubt  the  faith  of  Little  John,  but  he 
was  fearful  lest  a  roving  band  of  Foresters  had 
captured  him. 

At  last  Robin  could  not  remain  quiet.  Up 
sprang  he,  with  bow  and  arrows,  and  a  short 
sword  at  his  side. 

"  I  must  away  to  Nottingham  town,  my  men/' 
he  cried.  "  The  goodly  Sheriff  has  long  de- 
sired to  see  me  ;  and  mayhap  he  can  tell  me 


34  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

tidings  of  the  best  quarter-staff  in  the  shire  " — 
meaning  Little  John. 

Others  of  the  band  besought  him  to  let  them 
go  with  him,  but  he  would  not. 

"  Nay,"  he  said  smilingly,  "  the  Sheriff  and  I 
are  too  good  friends  to  put  doubt  upon  our  meet- 
ing. But  tarry  ye  in  the  edge  of  the  wood  op- 
posite the  west  gate  of  the  town,  and  ye  may  be 
of  service  ere  to-morrow  night." 

So  saying  he  strode  forward  to  the  road  lead- 
ing to  Nottingham,  and  stood  as  before  looking 
up  and  down  to  see  if  the  way  was  clear.  Back 
at  a  bend  in  the  road  he  heard  a  rumbling  and  a 
lumbering,  when  up  drove  a  stout  butcher,  whist- 
ling gayly,  and  driving  a  mare  that  sped  slowly 
enough  because  of  the  weight  of  meat  with  which 
the  cart  was  loaded. 

"  A  good  morrow  to  you,  friend,"  hailed 
Robin.  "  Whence  come  you  and  where  go  you 
with  your  load  of  meat  ?  " 

4<  A  good  morrow  to  you,"  returned  the 
butcher,  civilly  enough.  "  No  matter  where  I 
dwell.  I  am  but  a  simple  butcher,  and  to  Notting- 
ham am  I  going,  my  flesh  to  sell.  Tis  Fair  week, 
and  my  beef  and  mutton  should  fetch  a  fair 
penny,"  and  he  laughed  loudly  at  his  jest.  "  But 
whence  come  you  ?  " 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    35 

"  A  yeoman  am  I,  from  Lockesley  town.  Men 
call  me  Robin  Hood." 

"  The  saints  forefend  that  you  should  treat  me 
ill ! "  said  the  butcher  in  terror.  "  Oft  have  I 
heard  of  you,  and  how  you  lighten  the  purses  of 
the  fat  priests  and  knights.  But  I  am  naught 
but  a  poor  butcher,  selling  this  load  of  meat, 
perchance,  for  enough  to  pay  my  quarter's 
rent.'' 

"  Rest  you,  my  friend,  rest  you,"  quoth  Robin, 
"  not  so  much  as  a  silver  penny  would  I  take 
from  you,  for  I  love  an  honest  Saxon  face  and  a 
fair  name  with  my  neighbors.  But  I  would 
strike  a  bargain  with  you." 

Here  he  took  from  his  girdle  a  well-filled 
purse,  and  continued,  "  I  would  fain  be  a 
butcher,  this  day,  and  sell  meat  at  Nottingham 
town.  Could  you  sell  me  your  meat,  your  cart, 
your  mare,  and  your  good-will,  without  loss,  for 
five  marks  ?  " 

"  Heaven  bless  ye,  good  Robin,"  cried  the 
butcher  right  joyfully,  "  that  can  I  !  "  And  he 
leaped  down  forthwith  from  the  cart,  and  handed 
Robin  the  reins  in  exchange  for  the  purse. 

"  One  moment  more,"  laughed  Robin,  u  we 
must  e'en  change  garments  for  the  nonce.  Take 
mine  and  scurry  home  quickly  lest  the  King's 


36  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Foresters  try  to  put  a  hole  through  this  Lincoln 
green." 

So  saying  he  donned  the  butcher's  blouse  and 
apron,  and,  climbing  into  the  cart  drove  merrily 
down  the  road  to  the  town. 

When  he  came  to  Nottingham  he  greeted  the 
scowling  gate-keeper  blithely  and  proceeded  to 
the  market-place.  Boldly  he  led  his  shuffling 
horse  to  the  place  where  the  butchers  had  their 
stalls.  He  had  no  notion  of  the  price  to  ask  for 
his  meat,  but  put  on  a  foolish  and  simple  air  as 
he  called  aloud  his  wares  :  — 

"  Hark  ye,  lasses  and  dames,  hark  ye, 

Good  meat  come  buy,  come  buy, 
Three  pen'orths  go  for  one  penny, 
And  a  kiss  is  good,  say  I !  " 

Now  when  the  folk  found  what  a  simple 
butcher  he  was,  they  crowded  around  his  cart ; 
for  he  really  did  sell  three  times  as  much  for  one 
penny  as  was  sold  by  the  other  butchers.  And 
one  or  two  serving-lasses  with  twinkling  eyes 
liked  his  comely  face  so  well  that  they  willingly 
gave  boot  of  a  kiss. 

But  the  other  butchers  were  wroth  when  they 
found  how  he  was  taking  their  trade ;  and  they 
accordingly  put  their  heads  together. 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    37 

One  said,  "  He  is  a  prodigal  and  has  sold  his 
father's  land,  and  this  is  his  first  venture  in 
trading." 

Another  said,  "  He  is  a  thief  who  has  mur- 
dered a  butcher,  and  stolen  his  horse  and  meat." 

Robin  heard  these  sayings,  but  only  laughed 
merrily  and  sang  his  song  the  louder.  His  good- 
humor  made  the  people  laugh  also  and  crowd 
round  his  cart  closely,  shouting  uproariously 
when  some  buxom  lass  submitted  to  be  kissed. 

Then  the  butchers  saw  that  they  must  meet 
craft  with  craft ;  and  they  said  to  him,  "  Come, 
brother  butcher,  if  you  would  sell  meat  with  us, 
you  must  e'en  join  our  guild  and  stand  by  the 
rules  of  our  trade." 

"  We  dine  at  the  Sheriff's  mansion  to-day," 
said  another,  "  and  you  must  make  one  of  our 
party." 

"  Accurst  of  his  heart,"  said  jolly  Robin, 

"  That  a  butcher  will  deny. 
I'll  go  with  you,  my  brethren  true, 
And  as  fast  as  I  can  hie." 

Whereupon,  having  sold  all  his  meat,  he  left 
his  horse  and  cart  in  charge  of  a  friendly  hostler 
and  prepared  to  follow  his  mates  to  the  Mansion 
House. 


38  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

It  was  the  Sheriff's  custom  to  dine  various 
guilds  of  the  trade,  from  time  to  time,  on  Fair 
days,  for  he  got  a  pretty  profit  out  of  the  fees 
they  paid  him  for  the  right  to  trade  in  the 
market-place.  The  Sheriff  was  already  come 
with  great  pomp  into  the  banqueting  room, 
when  Robin  Hood  and  three  or  four  butch- 
ers entered,  and  he  greeted  them  all  with 
great  condescension  ;  and  presently  the  whole  of 
a  large  company  was  seated  at  a  table  groaning 
beneath  the  good  cheer  of  the  feast. 

Now  the  Sheriff  bade  Robin  sit  by  his  right 
hand,  at  the  head  of  the  board  ;  for  one  or  two 
butchers  had  whispered  to  the  official, "  That  fel- 
low is  a  right  mad  blade,  who  yet  made  us  much 
sport  to-day.  He  sold  more  meat  for  one  penny 
than  we  could  sell  for  three ;  and  he  gave  extra 
weight  to  whatsoever  lass  would  buss  him." 
And  others  said,  "  He  is  some  prodigal  who 
knows  not  the  value  of  goods,  and  may  be 
plucked  by  a  shrewd  man  right  closely." 

The  Sheriff  was  willing  to  pluck  a  prodigal 
with  the  next  man,  and  he  was  moreover  glad  to 
have  a  guest  who  promised  to  enliven  the  feast. 
So,  as  I  have  told  you,  he  placed  Robin  by  his 
side,  and  he  made  much  of  him  and  laughed 
boisterously  at  his  jests  ;  though  sooth  to  say,  the 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    39 

laugh  were  come  by  easily,  for  Robin  had  never 
been  in  merrier  mood,  and  his  quips  and  jests 
soon  put  the  whole  table  at  a  roar. 

Then  my  lord  Bishop  of  Hereford  came  in, 
last  of  all,  to  say  a  ponderous  grace  and  take  his 
seat  on  the  other  side  of  the  Sheriff — the  prel- 
ate's fat  body  showing  up  in  goodly  contrast  to 
the  other's  lean  bones. 

After  grace  was  said,  and  while  the  servants 
clattered  in  with  the  meat  platters,  Robin  stood 
up  and  said : 

"  An  amen  say  I  to  my  lord  Bishop's  thanks  ! 
How,  now,  my  fine  fellows,  be  merry  and  drink 
deep  ;  for  the  shot  I'll  pay  ere  I  go  my  way, 
though  it  cost  me  five  pounds  and  more.  So  my 
lords  and  gentlemen  all,  spare  not  the  wine,  but 
fall  to  lustily." 

"  Hear  !  hear  !  "  shouted  the  butchers. 

"  Now  are  you  a  right  jolly  soul,"  quoth  the 
Sheriff,  "  but  this  feast  is  mine  own.  Howbeit 
you  must  have  many  a  head  of  horned  beasts, 
and  many  an  acre  of  broad  land,  to  spend  from 
your  purse  so  freely." 

"  Aye,  that  have  I,"  returned  Robin,  his  eyes  all 
a  twinkle,  "  five  hundred  horned  beasts  have  I 
and  my  brothers,  and  none  of  them  have  we 
been  able  to  sell.  That  is  why  I  have  turned 


4-O  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

butcher.  But  I  know  not  the  trade,  and  would 
gladly  sell  the  whole  herd,  an  I  could  find  a 
buyer." 

At  this,  the  Sheriff's  greed  'gan  to  rise. 
Since  this  fool  would  be  plucked,  thought  he, 
why  should  not  he  do  the  plucking? 

"  Five  hundred  beasts,  say  you  ?  "  he  queried 
sharply. 

"  Five  hundred  and  ten  fat  beasts  by  actual 
count,  that  I  would  sell  for  a  just  figure.  Aye, 
to  him  who  will  pay  me  in  right  money,  would 
I  sell  them  for  twenty  pieces  of  gold.  Is  that  too 
much  to  ask,  lording  ?  " 

Was  there  ever  such  an  idiot  butcher  ?  thought 
the  Sheriff;  and  he  so  far  forgot  his  dignity  as 
to  nudge  the  Bishop  in  the  fat  ribs. 

"  Nay,  good  fellow,"  quoth  he  chuckling,  "  I 
am  always  ready  to  help  any  in  my  shire.  An 
you  cannot  find  a  buyer  for  your  herd  at  this 
just  figure,  I  will  e'en  buy  them  myself." 

At  this  generosity  Robin  was  quite  overcome, 
and  fell  to  praising  the  Sheriff  to  the  skies,  and 
telling  him  that  he  should  not  have  cause  to  for- 
get the  kindness. 

"  Tut,  tut,"  said  the  Sheriff,  "  'tis  naught  but  a 
tnide.  Drive  in  your  herd  to-morrow  to  the 
market-place  and  you  shall  have  money  down." 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    41 

"  Nay,  excellence,"  said  Robin,  "  that  can  I  not 
easily  do,  for  they  are  grazing  in  scattered 
fashion.  But  they  are  over  near  Gamewell,  not 
more  than  a  mile  therefrom  at  most.  Will  you 
not  come  and  choose  your  own  beasts  to- 
morrow ?  " 

"  Aye,  that  I  will,"  said  the  Sheriff,  his  cupid- 
ity casting  his  caution  to  the  winds.  "  Tarry 
with  me  over  night,  and  I  will  go  with  you  in 
the  morning." 

This  was  a  poser  for  Robin,  since  he  liked  not 
the  idea  of  staying  over  night  at  the  Sheriff's 
house.  He  had  hoped  to  appoint  a  meeting-place 
for  the  other,  but  now  saw  that  this  might  excite 
doubt.  He  looked  around  at  the  company.  By 
this  time,  you  must  know,  the  feast  had  pro- 
gressed far,  and  the  butchers  were  deep  in  their 
cups.  The  Sheriff  and  Robin  had  talked  in  a 
low  voice,  and  my  lord  Bishop  was  almost  asleep. 

"  Agreed,"  said  Robin  presently,  and  the  words 
were  no  sooner  out  of  his  mouth  than  the  door 
opened  and  a  serving-man  entered  bearing  a 
tray  of  mulled  wine.  At  sight  of  the  fellow's 
face,  Robin  gave  an  involuntary  start  of  surprise 
which  was  instantly  checked.  The  other  also 
saw  him,  stood  still  a  moment,  and  as  if  forget- 
ting something  turned  about  and  left  the  hall. 


42  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

It  was  Little  John. 

A  dozen  questions  flashed  across  Robin's 
mind,  and  he  could  find  answer  for  none  of 
them.  What  was  Little  John  doing  in  the 
Sheriff's  house?  Why  had  he  not  told  the 
band  ?  Was  he  true  to  them  ?  Would  he  be- 
tray him  ? 

But  these  questions  of  distrust  were  dismissed 
from  Robin's  open  mind  as  soon  as  they  had 
entered.  He  knew  that  Little  John  was  faithful 
and  true. 

He  recovered  his  spirits  and  began  again  upon 
a  vein  of  foolish  banter,  for  the  amusement  of 
the  Sheriff  and  his  guests,  all  being  now  merry 
with  wine. 

"  A  song !  "  one  of  them  shouted,  and  the  cry 
was  taken  up  round  the  table.  Robin  mounted 
his  chair  and  trolled  forth  : 

"  A  lass  and  a  butcher  of  Nottingham 

Agreed  'twixt  them  for  to  wed : 
Says  he,  « I'll  give  ye  the  meat,  fair  dame, 
And  ye  will  give  me  the  bread.'  " 

Then  they  joined  in  the  chorus  amid  a  pounding 
of  cups  upon  the  board : 

"  With  a  hey  and  a  ho 

And  a  hey  nonny  no, 
A  butcher  of  Nottingham !  " 


How  Robin  Hood  Turned  Butcher    43 

While  the  song  was  at  its  height,  Little  John 
reappeared,  with  other  servants,  and  refilled  the 
cups.  He  came  up  to  Robin  and,  as  if  asking 
him  if  he  would  have  more  wine,  said  softly, 
"  Meet  me  in  the  pantry  to-night." 

Robin  nodded,  and  sang  loudly.  The  day 
was  already  far  spent,  and  presently  the  company 
broke  up  with  many  hiccupy  bows  to  the  Sheriff 
and  little  notice  of  the  drowsy  Bishop. 

When  the  company  was  dispersed,  the  Sheriff 
bade  a  servant  show  Robin  to  his  room,  and 
promised  to  see  him  at  breakfast  the  next  day. 

Robin  kept  his  word  and  met  Little  John  that 
night,  and  the  Sheriff  next  day ;  but  Little  John 
has  been  doing  so  much  in  the  meantime  that 
he  must  be  allowed  a  chapter  to  himself. 

So  let  us  turn  to  another  story  that  was  sung 
of,  in  the  ballads  of  olden  time,  and  find  out 
how  Little  John  entered  the  Sheriff's  service. 


CHAPTER  IV 

HOW  LITTLE  JOHN  ENTERED  THE 
SHERIFF'S   SERVICE 

List  and  hearken,  gentlemen, 

All  ye  that  now  be  here, 
Of  Little  John,  that  was  Knight's-man, 

Good  mirth  ye  now  shall  hear. 

IT   had   come  around  another  Fair  day  at 
Nottingham  town,  and  folk  crowded  there 
by   all   the   gates.     Goods    of  many    kinds 
were  displayed  in  gaily  colored  booths,  and  at 
every  cross-street  a  free  show  was  in  progress. 
Here  and  there,  stages  had  been  erected  for  the 
play  at  quarter-staff,  a  highly  popular  sport. 

There  was  a  fellow,  one  Eric  of  Lincoln,  who 
was  thought  to  be  the  finest  man  with  the  staff 
for  miles  around.  His  feats  were  sung  about  in 
ballads  through  all  the  shire.  A  great  boaster 
was  he  withal,  and  to-day  he  strutted  about  on 
one  of  these  corner  stages,  and  vaunted  of  his 
prowess,  and  offered  to  crack  any  man's  crown 
for  a  shilling.  Several  had  tried  their  skill  with 
44 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service      45 

Eric,  but  he  had  soon  sent  them  spinning  in  no 
gentle  manner,  amid  the  jeers  and  laughter  of  the 
onlookers. 

A  beggar-man  sat  over  against  Eric's  stage 
and  grinned  every  time  a  pate  was  cracked.  He 
was  an  uncouth  fellow,  ragged  and  dirty  and 
unshaven.  Eric  caught  sight  of  his  leering 
face  at  one  of  his  boasts — for  there  was  a  lull  in 
the  game,  because  no  man  else  wanted  to  come 
within  reach  of  Eric's  blows.  Eric,  I  say,  noticed 
the  beggar-man  grinning  at  him  rather  im- 
pudently, and  turned  toward  him  sharply. 

"  How  now,  you  dirty  villain ! "  quoth  he, 
"  mend  your  manners  to  your  betters,  or,  by  our 
Lady,  I'll  dust  your  rags  for  you." 

The  beggar-man  still  grinned.  "  I  am  always 
ready  to  mend  my  manners  to  my  betters"  said 
he,  "  but  I  am  afraid  you  cannot  teach  me  any 
better  than  you  can  dust  my  jacket." 

"  Come  up !  Come  up  !  "  roared  the  other 
flourishing  his  staff. 

"That  will  I,"  said  the  beggar  getting  up 
slowly  and  with  difficulty.  "  It  will  pleasure  me 
hugely  to  take  a  braggart  down  a  notch,  an 
some  good  man  will  lend  me  a  stout  quarter- 
staff." 

At  this   a  score  of   idlers  reached  him  their 


46  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

staves — being  ready  enough  to  see  another  man 
have  his  head  cracked,  even  if  they  wished  to 
save  their  own — and  he  took  the  stoutest  and 
heaviest  of  all.  He  made  a  sorry  enough  figure 
as  he  climbed  awkwardly  upon  the  stage,  but 
when  he  had  gained  it,  he  towered  full  half  a 
head  above  the  other,  for  all  his  awkwardness. 
Nathless,  he  held  his  stick  so  clumsily  that  the 
crowd  laughed  in  great  glee. 

Now  each  man  took  his  place  and  looked  the 
other  up  and  down,  watching  warily  for  an 
opening.  Only  a  moment  stood  they  thus,  for 
Eric,  intent  on  teaching  this  rash  beggar  a  lesson 
and  sweeping  him  speedily  off  the  stage, 
launched  forth  boldly  and  gave  the  other  a 
sounding  crack  on  the  shoulder.  The  beggar 
danced  about,  and  made  as  though  he  would 
drop  his  staff  from  very  pain,  while  the  crowd 
roared  and  Eric  raised  himself  for  another  crush- 
ing blow.  But  just  then  the  awkward  beggar 
came  to  life.  Straightening  himself  like  a  flash 
he  dealt  Eric  a  back-handed  blow,  the  like  of 
which  he  had  never  before  seen.  Down  went  the 
boaster  to  the  floor  with  a  sounding  thump,  and 
the  fickle  people  yelled  and  laughed  themselves 
purple ;  for  it  was  a  new  sight  to  see  Eric  of 
Lincoln  eating  dust. 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service      47 

But  he  was  up  again  almost  as  soon  as  he  had 
fallen,  and  right  quickly  retreated  to  his  own 
ringside  to  gather  his  wits  and  watch  for  an 
opening.  He  saw  instantly  that  he  had  no 
easy  antagonist,  and  he  came  in  cautiously  thi? 
time. 

And  now  those  who  stood  around  saw  the 
merriest  game  of  quarter-staff  that  was  ever 
played  inside  the  walls  of  Nottingham  town. 
Both  men  were  on  their  guard  and  fenced  with 
fine  skill,  being  well  matched  in  prowess.  Again 
and  again  did  Eric  seek  to  force  an  opening 
under  the  other's  guard,  and  just  as  often  were  his 
blows  parried.  The  beggar  stood  sturdily  in 
his  tracks  contenting  himself  with  beating  off  the 
attack.  For  a  long  time  their  blows  met  like  the 
steady  crackling  of  some  huge  forest  fire,  and 
Eric  strove  to  be  wary,  for  he  now  knew  that  the 
other  had  no  mean  wits  or  mettle.  But  he  grew 
right  mad  at  last,  and  began  to  send  down  blows 
so  fierce  and  fast  that  you  would  have  sworn  a 
great  hail-storm  was  pounding  on  the  shingles 
over  your  head.  Yet  he  never  so  much  as  en- 
tered the  tall  beggar's  guard. 

Then  at  last  the  stranger  saw  his  chance  and 
changed  his  tune  of  fighting.  With  one  up- 
ward stroke  he  sent  Eric's  staff  whirling  through 


48  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

the  air.  With  another  he  tapped  Eric  on  the 
head  ;  and,  with  a  third  broad  swing,  ere  the  other 
could  recover  himself,  he  swept  him  clear  off  the 
stage,  much  as  you  would  brush  a  fly  off  the 
window  pane. 

Now  the  people  danced  and  shouted  and  made 
so  much  ado  that  the  shop-keepers  left  their 
stalls  and  others  came  running  from  every  di- 
rection. The  victory  of  the  queer  beggar  made 
him  immensely  popular.  Eric  had  been  a  great 
bully,  and  many  had  suffered  defeat  and  insult  at 
his  hands.  So  the  ragged  stranger  found  money 
and  food  and  drink  everywhere  at  his  disposal, 
and  he  feasted  right  comfortably  till  the  after- 
noon. 

Then  a  long  bow  contest  came  on,  and  to 
it  the  beggar  went  with  some  of  his  new  friends. 
It  was  held  in  the  same  arena  that  Robin  had 
formerly  entered  ;  and  again  the  Sheriff  and  lords 
and  ladies  graced  the  scene  with  their  presence, 
while  the  people  crowded  to  their  places. 

When  the  archers  had  stepped  forward,  the 
herald  rose  and  proclaimed  the  rules  of  the  game  : 
how  that  each  man  should  shoot  three  shots,  and 
to  him  who  shot  best  the  prize  of  a  yoke  of  fat 
steers  should  belong.  A  dozen  keen-eyed  bow- 
men were  there,  and  among  them  some  of  the 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service     49 

best  fellows  in  the  Forester's  and  Sheriff's  com- 
panies. Down  at  the  end  of  the  line  towered 
the  tall  beggar-man,  who  must  needs  twang  a 
bow-string  with  the  best  of  them. 

The  Sheriff  noted  his  queer  figure  and  asked : 
"  Who  is  that  ragged  fellow  ?  " 

"  Tis  he  that  hath  but  now  so  soundly  cracked 
the  crown  of  Eric  of  Lincoln,"  was  the  reply. 

The  shooting  presently  began,  and  the  targets 
soon  showed  a  fine  reckoning.  Last  of  all  came 
the  beggar's  turn. 

"  By  your  leave,"  he  said  loudly,  "  I'd  like  it 
well  to  shoot  with  any  other  man  here  present 
at  a  mark  of  my  own  placing."  And  he  strode 
down  the  lists  with  a  slender  peeled  sapling 
which  he  stuck  upright  in  the  ground.  "  There," 
said  he,  "  is  a  right  good  mark.  Will  any  man 
try  it?  " 

But  not  an  archer  would  risk  his  reputation  on 
so  small  a  target.  Whereupon  the  beggar  drew 
his  bow  with  seeming  carelessness  and  split  the 
wand  with  his  shaft. 

"  Long  live  the  beggar ! "  yelled  the  by- 
standers. 

The  Sheriff  swore  a  full  great  oath,  and  said  : 
"  This  man  is  the  best  archer  that  ever  yet  I  saw." 
And  he  beckoned  to  him,  and  asked  him  :  "  How 


50  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

now,  good  fellow,  what  is  your  name,  and  in 
what  country  were  you  born  ?  " 

"  In  Holderness  I  was  born,"  the  man  replied; 
"  men  call  me  Reynold  Greenleaf." 

"  You  are  a  sturdy  fellow,  Reynold  Greenleaf, 
and  deserve  better  apparel  than  that  you  wear  at 
present.  Will  you  enter  my  service  ?  I  will  give 
you  twenty  marks  a  year,  above  your  living,  and 
three  good  suits  of  clothes." 

"  Three  good  suits,  say  you  ?  Then  right 
gladly  will  I  enter  your  service,  for  my  back  has 
been  bare  this  many  a  long  day." 

Then  Reynold  turned  him  about  to  the  crowd 
and  shouted  :  "  Hark  ye,  good  people,  I  have 
entered  the  Sheriff's  service,  and  need  not  the 
yoke  of  steers  for  prize.  So  take  them  for  your- 
selves, to  feast  withal." 

At  this  the  crowd  shouted  more  merrily  than 
ever,  and  threw  their  caps  high  into  the  air. 
And  none  so  popular  a  man  had  come  to  Not- 
tingham town  in  many  a  long  day  as  this  same 
Reynold  Greenleaf. 

Now  you  may  have  guessed,  by  this  time,  who 
Reynold  Greenleaf  really  was  ;  so  I  shall  tell  you 
that  he  was  none  other  than  Little  John.  And 
forth  went  he  to  the  Sheriff's  house,  and  entered 
his  service.  But  it  was  a  sorry  day  for  the 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service      51 

Sheriff  when  he  got  his  new  man.  For  Little 
John  winked  his  shrewd  eye  and  said  softly  to 
himself :  "  By  my  faith,  I  shall  be  the  worst  serv- 
ant to  him  that  ever  yet  had  he  !  " 

Two  days  passed  by.  Little  John,  it  must  be 
confessed,  did  not  make  a  good  servant.  He  in- 
sisted upon  eating  the  Sheriff's  best  bread  and 
drinking  his  best  wine,  so  that  the  steward 
waxed  wroth.  Nathless  the  Sheriff  held  him  in 
high  esteem,  and  made  great  talk  of  taking  him 
along  on  the  next  hunting  trip. 

It  was  now  the  day  of  the  banquet  to  the 
butchers,  about  which  we  have  already  heard. 
The  banquet  hall,  you  must  know,  was  not  in 
the  main  house,  but  connected  with  it  by  a 
corridor.  All  the  servants  were  bustling  about 
making  preparations  for  the  feast,  save  only 
Little  John,  who  must  needs  lie  abed  the  greater 
part  of  the  day.  But  he  presented  himself  at  last, 
when  the  dinner  was  half  over ;  and  being  de- 
sirous of  seeing  the  guests  for  himself  he  went 
into  the  hall  with  the  other  servants  to  pass  the 
wine.  First,  however,  I  am  afraid  that  some  of 
the  wine  passed  his  own  lips  while  he  went 
down  the  corridor. 

When  he  entered  the  banqueting  hall,  whom 


52  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

should  he  see  but  Robin  Hood  himself.  We  can 
imagine  the  start  of  surprise  felt  by  each  of  these 
bold  fellows  upon  seeing  the  other  in  such  strange 
company.  But  they  kept  their  secrets,  as  we  have 
seen,  and  arranged  to  meet  each  other  that  same 
night.  Meanwhile,  the  proud  Sheriff  little  knew 
that  he  harbored  the  two  chief  outlaws  of  the 
whole  countryside  beneath  his  roof. 

After  the  feast  was  over  and  night  was  begin- 
ning to  advance,  Little  John  felt  faint  of  stomach 
and  remembered  him  that  he  had  eaten  nothing 
all  that  day.  Back  went  he  to  the  pantry  to  see 
what  eatables  were  laid  by.  But  there,  locking 
up  the  stores  for  the  night,  stood  the  fat  steward. 

"  Good  Sir  Steward,"  said  Little  John, "  give  me 
to  dine,  for  it  is  long  for  Greenleaf  to  be  fasting." 

The  steward  looked  grimly  at  him  and  rattled 
the  keys  at  his  girdle. 

"  Sirrah  lie-abed,"  quoth  he,  "  'tis  late  in  the 
day  to  be  talking  of  eating.  Since  you  have 
waited  thus  long  to  be  hungry,  you  can  e'en  take 
your  appetite  back  to  bed  again." 

"  Now  by  mine  appetite,  that  will  I  not  do," 
cried  Little  John.  "  Your  own  paunch  of  fat 
would  be  enough  for  any  bear  to  sleep  on  through 
the  winter.  But  my  stomach  craves  food,  and 
food  it  shall  have!" 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service      53 

Saying  this  he  brushed  past  the  steward  and 
tried  the  door,  but  it  was  locked  fast ;  whereat 
the  fat  steward  chuckled  and  jangled  his  keys 
again. 

Then  was  Little  John  right  mad,  and  he 
brought  down  his  huge  fist  on  the  door-panel 
with  a  sledge-hammer  blow  that  shivered  an  open- 
ing you  could  thrust  your  hand  into.  Little  John 
stooped  and  peered  through  the  hole  to  see  what 
food  lay  within  reach,  when  crack !  went  the 
steward's  keys  upon  his  crown,  and  that  worthy 
danced  around  him  playing  a  tattoo  that  made 
Little  John's  ears  ring.  At  this  he  turned  upon 
the  steward  and  gave  him  such  a  rap  that  his 
back  went  nigh  in  two,  and  over  went  the  fat  fel- 
low rolling  on  the  floor. 

"  Lie  there,"  quoth  Little  John,  "  till  ye  find 
strength  to  go  to  bed.  Meanwhile,  I  must  be 
about  my  dinner."  And  he  kicked  open  the 
buttery  door  without  ceremony  and  brought  to 
light  a  venison  pasty  and  cold  roast  pheasant — 
goodly  sights  to  a  hungry  man.  Placing  these 
down  on  a  convenient  shelf  he  fell  to  with  right 
good  will.  So  Little  John  ate  and  drank  as  much 
as  he  would. 

Now  the  Sheriff  had  in  his  kitchen  a  cook, 
a  stout  man  and  bold,  who  heard  the  rumpus  and 


54  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

came  in  to  see  how  the  land  lay.  There  sat 
Little  John  eating  away  for  dear  life,  while  the 
fat  steward  was  rolled  under  the  table  like  a 
bundle  of  rags. 

"  I  make  my  vow ! "  said  the  cook,  "  you  are 
a  shrewd  hind  to  dwell  thus  in  a  household,  and 
ask  thus  to  dine."  So  saying  he  laid  aside  his 
spit  and  drew  a  good  sword  that  hung  at  his  side. 

"  I  make  my  vow ! "  said  Little  John,  "  you 
are  a  bold  man  and  hardy  to  come  thus  between 
me  and  my  meat.  So  defend  yourself  and  see 
that  you  prove  the  better  man."  And  he  drew 
his  own  sword  and  crossed  weapons  with  the 
cook. 

Then  back  and  forth  they  clashed  with  sullen 
sound.  The  old  ballad  which  tells  of  their  fight 
says  that  they  thought  nothing  for  to  flee,  but 
stiffly  for  to  stand.  There  they  fought  sore  to- 
gether, two  miles  away  and  more,  but  neither 
might  the  other  harm  for  the  space  of  a  full  hour. 

"  I  make  my  vow  ! "  cried  Little  John,  "  you 
are  the  best  swordsman  that  ever  yet  I  saw. 
What  say  you  to  resting  a  space  and  eating  and 
drinking  good  health  with  me.  Then  we  may 
fall  to  again  with  the  swords." 

"  Agreed !  "  said  the  cook,  who  loved  good 
fare  as  well  as  a  good  fight ;  and  they  both  laid 


How  Little  John  Entered  Service      J5 

by  their  swords  and  fell  to  the  food  with  hearty 
will.  The  venison  pasty  soon  disappeared,  and 
the  roast  pheasant  flew  at  as  lively  a  rate  as  ever 
the  bird  itself  had  sped.  Then  the  warriors  rested 
a  space  and  patted  their  stomachs,  and  smiled 
across  at  each  other  like  bosom  friends  ;  for  a 
man  when  he  has  dined  looks  out  pleasantly  upon 
the  world. 

"  And  now  good  Reynold  Greenleaf,"  said  the 
cook,  "  we  may  as  well  settle  this  brave  fight  we 
have  in  hand." 

"  A  true  saying,"  rejoined  the  other,  "  but  first 
tell  me,  friend, — for  I  protest  you  are  my  friend 
henceforth— what  is  the  score  we  have  to  settle  ?  " 

"  Naught  save  who  can  handle  the  sword  best," 
said  the  cook.  "  By  my  troth  I  had  thought  to 
carve  you  like  a  capon  ere  now." 

"  And  I  had  long  since  thought  to  shave  your 
ears,"  replied  Little  John.  "  This  bout  we  can 
settle  in  right  good  time.  But  just  now  I  and  my 
master  have  need  of  you,  and  you  can  turn  your 
stout  blade  to  better  service  than  that  of  the 
Sheriff." 

"  Whose  service  would  that  be  ?  "  asked  the 
cook. 

"  Mine,"  answered  a  would-be  butcher  enter- 
ing the  room,  "  and  I  am  Robin  Hood." 


CHAPTER  V 

HOW   THE    SHERIFF    LOST   THREE    GOOD 
SERVANTS  AND  FOUND  THEM  AGAIN 

"  Make  good  cheer,"  said  Robin  Hood. 
"  Sheriff!  for  chanty! 
And  for  the  love  of  Little  John 
Thy  life  is  granted  thee !  " 

THE  cook  gasped  in  amazement.  This 
Robin  Hood  !  and  under  the  Sheriff's 
very  roof! 

"  Now  by  my  troth  you  are  a  brave  fellow," 
he  said.  "  I  have  heard  great  tales  of  your 
prowess,  and  the  half  has  not  been  told.  But 
who  might  this  tall  slasher  be  ?  " 

"  Men  do  call  me  Little  John,  good  fellow." 

"  Then  Little  John,  or  Reynold  Greenleaf,  I 
like  you  well,  on  my  honor  as  Much  the  miller's 
son  ;  and  you  too,  bold  Robin  Hood.  An  you 
take  me,  I  will  enter  your  service  right  gladly." 

"  Spoken  like  a  stout  man  !  "  said  Robin,  seiz- 
ing him  by  the  hand.  "  But  I  must  back  to  my 
own  bed,  lest  some  sleepy  warden  stumble  upon 

56 


Three  Good  Servants  57 

me,  and  I  be  forced  to  run  him  through.  Lucky 
for  you  twain  that  wine  flowed  so  freely  in  this 
house  to-day  ;  else  the  noise  of  your  combat 
would  have  brought  other  onlookers  besides 
Robin  Hood.  Now  if  ye  would  flee  the  house 
to-night,  I  will  join  you  in  the  good  greenwood 
to-morrow." 

"  But,  good  master,"  said  the  cook,  "  you 
would  not  stay  here  over  night !  Verily,  it  is 
running  your  head  into  a  noose.  Come  with  us. 
The  Sheriff  has  set  strict  watch  on  all  the  gates, 
since  'tis  Fair  week,  but  I  know  the  warden  at 
the  west  gate  and  could  bring  us  through  safely. 
To-morrow  you  will  be  stayed." 

"  Nay,  that  will  I  not,"  laughed  Robin,  "  for  I 
shall  go  through  with  no  less  escort  than  the 
Sheriff  himself.  Now  do  you,  Little  John,  and 
do  you,  Much  the  miller's  son,  go  right  speedily. 
In  the  borders  of  the  wood  you  will  find  my 
merry  men.  Tell  them  to  kill  two  fine  harts 
against  to-morrow  eve,  for  we  shall  have  great 
company  and  lordly  sport." 

And  Robin  left  them  as  suddenly  as  he  had 
come. 

"  Comrade,"  then  said  Little  John,  "  we  may 
as  well  bid  the  Sheriff's  roof  farewell.  But  ere 
we  go,  it  would  seem  a  true  pity  to  fail  to  take 


58  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

such  of  the  Sheriff's  silver  plate  as  will  cause  us  to 
remember  him,  and  also  grace  our  special  feasts." 

"  Tis  well  said  indeed/'  quoth  the  cook. 

Thereupon  they  got  a  great  sack  and  filled  it 
with  silver  plate  from  the  shelves  where  it  would 
not  at  once  be  missed,  and  they  swung  the  sack 
between  them,  and  away  they  went,  out  of  the 
house,  out  of  the  town,  and  into  the  friendly 
shelter  of  Sherwood  Forest. 

The  next  morning  the  servants  were  late  astir 
in  the  Sheriff's  house.  The  steward  awoke  from 
a  heavy  sleep,  but  his  cracked  head  was  still  in 
such  a  whirl  that  he  could  not  have  sworn 
whether  the  Sheriff  had  ever  owned  so  much  as 
one  silver  dish.  So  the  theft  went  undiscovered 
for  the  nonce. 

Robin  Hood  met  the  Sheriff  at  breakfast,  when 
his  host  soon  spoke  of  what  was  uppermost  in 
his  heart — the  purchase  of  that  fine  herd  of  cat- 
tle near  Gamewell.  'Twas  clear  that  a  vision  of 
them,  purchased  for  twenty  paltry  gold  pieces, 
had  been  with  him  all  through  the  night,  in  his 
dreams.  And  Robin  again  appeared  such  a 
silly  fellow  that  the  Sheriff  saw  no  need  of  dis- 
sembling, but  said  that  he  was  ready  to  start  at 
once  to  look  at  the  herd. 


Three  Good  Servants  59 

Accordingly  they  set  forth,  Robin  in  his  little 
butcher's  cart,  behind  the  lean  mare,  and  the 
Sheriff  mounted  on  a  horse.  Out  of  Notting- 
ham town,  through  gates  open  wide,  they  pro- 
ceeded, and  took  the  hill  road  leading  through 
Sherwood  Forest.  And  as  they  went  on  and 
plunged  deeper  among  the  trees,  Robin  whistled 
blithely  and  sang  snatches  of  tunes. 

"  Why  are  you  so  gay,  fellow  ?  "  said  the  Sher- 
iff, for,  sooth  to  say,  the  silence  of  the  woods  was 
making  him  uneasy. 

"  I  am  whistling  to  keep  my  courage  up,"  re- 
plied Robin. 

"  What  is  there  to  fear,  when  you  have  the 
Sheriff  of  Nottingham  beside  you  ?  "  quoth  the 
other  pompously. 

Robin  scratched  his  head. 

"  They  do  say  that  Robin  Hood  and  his  men 
care  little  for  the  Sheriff,"  he  said. 

"  Pooh  !  "  said  the  Sheriff.  "  I  would  not  give 
that  for  their  lives,  if  I  could  once  lay  hands 
upon  them."  And  he  snapped  his  fingers  an- 
grily. 

"  But  Robin  Hood  himself  was  on  this  very 
road  the  last  time  I  came  to  town,"  said  the  other. 

The  Sheriff  started  at  the  crackling  of  a  twig 
under  his  horse's  feet,  and  looked  around. 


60  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Did  you  see  him  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Aye,  that  did  I  !  He  wanted  the  use  of  this 
mare  and  cart  to  drive  to  Nottingham.  He  said 
he  would  fain  turn  butcher.  But  see  !  " 

As  he  spoke  he  came  to  a  turn  in  the  road, 
and  there  before  them  stood  a  herd  of  the  King's 
deer,  feeding.  Robin  pointed  to  them  and  con- 
tinued : 

"  There  is  my  herd  of  cattle,  good  Master 
Sheriff!  How  do  you  like  them?  Are  they 
not  fat  and  fair  to  see  ?  " 

The  Sheriff  drew  rein  quickly.  "  Now  fellow," 
quoth  he,  "  I  would  I  were  well  out  of  this  forest, 
for  I  care  not  to  see  such  herds  as  these,  or  such 
faces  as  yours.  Choose  your  own  way,  there- 
fore, whoever  you  be,  and  let  me  go  mine." 

"  Nay,"  laughed  Robin,  seizing  the  Sheriff's 
bridle,  "  I  have  been  at  too  much  pains  to  culti- 
vate your  company  to  forego  it  now  so  easily. 
Besides  I  wish  you  to  meet  some  of  my  friends 
and  dine  with  me,  since  you  have  so  lately  en- 
tertained me  at  your  board." 

So  saying  he  clapped  a  horn  to  his  lips  and 
winded  three  merry  notes.  The  deer  bounded 
away ;  and  before  the  last  of  them  was  seen, 
there  came  a  running  and  a  rustling,  and  out 
from  behind  covert  and  tree  came  full  twoscore 


Three  Good  Servants  6l 

of  men,  clad  in  Lincoln  green,  and  bearing  good 
yew  bows  in  their  hands  and  short  swords  at 
their  sides.  Up  they  ran  to  Robin  Hood  and 
doffed  their  caps  to  him  respectfully,  while  the 
Sheriff  sat  still  from  very  amazement. 

"  Welcome  to  the  greenwood!"  said  one  of 
the  leaders,  bending  the  knee  with  mock  rever- 
ence before  the  Sheriff. 

The  Sheriff  glared.     It  was  Little  John. 

"  Woe  the  worth,  Reynold  Greenleaf,"  he 
said,  "  you  have  betrayed  me  !  " 

u  I  make  my  vow,"  said  Little  John,  "  that 
you  are  to  blame,  master.  I  was  misserved  of 
my  dinner,  when  I  was  at  your  house.  But  we 
shall  set  you  down  to  a  feast  we  hope  you  will 
enjoy." 

"  Well  spoken,  Little  John,"  said  Robin  Hood. 
"  Take  you  his  bridle  and  let  us  do  honor  to  the 
guest  who  has  come  to  feast  with  us." 

Then  turning  abruptly  the  whole  company 
plunged  into  the  heart  of  the  forest. 

After  twisting  and  turning  till  the  Sheriff's  be- 
wildered head  sat  dizzily  upon  his  shoulders,  the 
greenwood  men  passed  through  a  narrow  alley 
amid  the  trees  which  led  to  a  goodly  open  space 
flanked  by  wide-spreading  oaks.  Under  the 
largest  of  these  a  pleasant  fire  was  crackling,  and 


62  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

near  it  two  fine  harts  lay  ready  for  cooking. 
Around  the  blaze  were  gathered  another  com- 
pany of  yeomen  quite  as  large  as  that  which 
came  with  Robin  Hood.  Up  sprang  they  as  the 
latter  advanced  and  saluted  their  leader  with  def- 
erence, but  with  hearty  gladness  to  see  him  back 
again. 

That  merry  wag  Will  Stutely  was  in  command  ; 
and  when  he  saw  the  pale-faced  Sheriff  being  led 
in  like  any  culprit,  he  took  his  cloak  and  laid  it 
humbly  upon  the  ground  and  besought  the 
Sheriff  to  alight  upon  it,  as  the  ground  of  Sher- 
wood was  unused  to  such  dignitaries. 

"  Bestir  yourselves,  good  fellows  !  "  cried  Robin 
Hood ;  "  and  while  our  new  cook,  whom  I  see 
with  us,  is  preparing  a  feast  worthy  of  our  high 
guest,  let  us  have  a  few  games  to  do  him  honor  !  " 

Then  while  the  whole  glade  was  filled  with  the 
savory  smell  of  roasting  venison  and  fat  capons, 
and  brown  pasties  warmed  beside  the  blaze,  and 
mulled  wine  sent  forth  a  cordial  fragrance,  Robin 
Hood  placed  the  Sheriff  upon  a  knoll  beneath 
the  largest  oak  and  sat  himself  down  by  him. 

First  stepped  forward  several  pairs  of  men 
armed  with  the  quarter-staff,  the  widow's  sons 
among  them,  and  so  skilfully  did  they  thrust  and 
parry  and  beat  down  guards,  that  the  Sheriff, 


Three  Good  Servants  63 

who  loved  a  good  game  as  well  as  any  man, 
clapped  his  hands,  forgetting  where  he  was,  and 
shouted,  "  Well  struck !  well  struck !  Never 
have  I  seen  such  blows  at  all  the  Fairs  of  Not- 
tingham ! " 

Then  the  best  archers  of  the  band  set  up  a 
small  wand  at  eightscore  paces  distant,  and 
thereon  they  affixed  a  wreath  of  green.  And  the 
archers  began  to  shoot ;  and  he  who  shot  not 
through  the  garland  without  disturbing  its  leaves 
and  tendrils  was  fain  to  submit  to  a  good  sound 
buffet  from  Little  John.  But  right  cunning  was 
the  shooting,  for  the  men  had  spent  a  certain 
time  in  daily  practice,  and  many  were  the  shafts 
which  sped  daintily  through  the  circle.  Nath- 
less  now  and  again  some  luckless  fellow  would 
shoot  awry  and  would  be  sent  winding  from  a 
long  arm  blow  from  the  tall  lieutenant  while  the 
glade  roared  with  laughter.  And  none  more 
hearty  a  guffaw  was  given  than  came  from  the 
Sheriff's  own  throat,  for  the  spirit  of  the  green- 
wood was  upon  him. 

But  presently  his  high  mood  was  dashed. 
The  company  sat  down  to  meat,  and  the  guest 
was  treated  to  two  more  disturbing  surprises. 
The  cook  came  forward  to  serve  the  food,  when 
the  Sheriff  beheld  in  him  his  own  former  servant, 


64  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

and  one  whom  he  supposed  was  at  that  moment 
in  the  scullery  at  Nottingham. 

Much  the  miller's  son  grinned  by  way  of  an- 
swer to  the  Sheriff's  amazement,  and  served  the 
plates,  and  placed  them  before  the  party.  Then 
did  the  Sheriff  gasp  and  fairly  choke  with  rage. 
The  service  was  his  own  silverware  from  the 
Mansion  House  ! 

"  You  rascals  !  you  rogues  ! "  he  spluttered. 
"  Was  it  not  enough  to  defraud  me  out  of  three 
of  my  servants,  that  you  must  also  rob  me  of  my 
best  silver  service  ?  Nay,  by  my  life,  but  I  will 
not  touch  your  food  !  " 

But  Robin  Hood  bade  him  pause. 

"  Gramercy  !  "  quoth  he,  "  servants  come  and 
go,  in  merry  England,  and  so  does  service.  The 
platters  are  but  used  to  do  your  worship  honor. 
And  as  for  your  life,  it  is  forfeit  to  your  eager- 
ness to  buy  my  herd  of  cattle  so  cheaply.  Now 
sit  you  down  again  and  make  good  cheer,  Sheriff, 
for  charity  !  And  for  the  love  of  Little  John 
your  life  is  granted  you  ! " 

So  the  Sheriff  sat  him  down  again  with  the 
best  face  he  could  assume,  and  soon  the  cook's 
viands  were  disappearing  down  his  gullet  as  rap- 
idly as  the  next  man's.  And  they  feasted  roy- 
ally and  clinked  each  other's  cups  until  the  sun 


Three  Good  Servants  65 

had  ceased  to  print  the  pattern  of  the  leaves  upon 
the  forest  carpet. 

Then  the  Sheriff  arose  and  said :  "  I  thank 
you,  Robin  Hood,  one-time  butcher,  and  you, 
Little  John,  one-time  beggar,  and  you,  Much, 
one-time  cook,  and  all  you  good  men  who  have 
entertained  me  in  Sherwood  so  well.  Promises 
I  make  not  as  to  how  I  shall  requite  you  when  next 
you  come  to  Nottingham,  for  I  am  in  the  King's 
service.  So  for  the  present  the  score  rests  with 
you.  But  the  shadows  grow  long  and  I  must 
away,  if  you  will  be  pleased  to  pilot  me  to  the 
road." 

Then  Robin  Hood  and  all  his  men  arose  and 
drank  the  Sheriff's  health,  and  Robin  said  :  "  If 
you  must  needs  go  at  once  we  will  not  detain 
you — except  that  you  have  forgotten  two  things." 

"  What  may  they  be  ?  "  asked  the  Sheriff,  while 
his  heart  sank  within  him. 

"  You  forget  that  you  came  with  me  to-day  to 
buy  a  herd  of  horned  beasts ;  likewise  that  he 
who  dines  at  the  Greenwood  Inn  must  pay  the 
landlord." 

The  Sheriff  fidgetted  like  a  small  boy  who  has 
forgotten  his  lesson. 

"  Nay,  I  have  but  a  small  sum  with  me,"  he 
began  apologetically. 


66  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  What  is  that  sum,  gossip  ?  "  questioned  Lit- 
tle John,  "  for  my  own  wage  should  also  come 
out  of  it!" 

"  And  mine  !  "  said  Much. 

"  And  mine  !  "  smiled  Robin. 

The  Sheriff  caught  his  breath.  "  By  my 
troth,  are  all  these  silver  dishes  worth  any- 
thing ?  " 

The  outlaws  roared  heartily  at  this. 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  worship,"  said  Robin, 
"  we  three  rascally  servants  will  compound  our 
back  wages  for  those  plates.  And  we  will  keep 
the  herd  of  cattle  free  for  our  own  use — and  the 
King's.  But  this  little  tavern  bill  should  be  set- 
tled !  Now,  what  sum  have  you  about  you  ?  " 

"  I  have  only  those  twenty  pieces  of  gold,  and 
twenty  others,"  said  the  Sheriff:  and  well  it  was 
that  he  told  the  truth  for  once,  for  Robin  said : 

"  Count  it,  Little  John." 

Little  John  turned  the  Sheriff's  wallet  inside 
out.  "  'Tis  true  enough,"  he  said. 

"  Then  you  shall  pay  no  more  than  twenty 
pieces  for  your  entertainment,  excellence,"  de- 
creed Robin.  "  Speak  I  soothly,  men  of  green- 
wood ?  " 

"  Good  !  "  echoed  the  others. 

"  The  Sheriff  should  swear  by  his  patron  saint 


Three  Good  Servants  67 

that  he  will  not  molest  us,"  said  Will  Stutely ; 
and  this  addition  was  carried  unanimously. 

"  So  be  it,  then,"  cried  Little  John  approach- 
ing the  Sheriff.  "  Now  swear  by  your  life  and 
your  patron  saint " 

"  I  will  swear  it  by  St.  George,  who  is  patron 
of  us  all,"  said  the  Sheriff  vigorously,  "  that  I 
will  never  disturb  or  distress  the  outlaws  in 
Sherwood." 

"  But  let  me  catch  any  of  you  out  of  Sher- 
wood !  "  thought  he  to  himself. 

Then  the  twenty  pieces  of  gold  were  paid 
over,  and  the  Sheriff  once  more  prepared  to 
depart. 

"  Never  had  we  so  worshipful  a  guest  before," 
said  Robin  ;  "  and  as  the  new  moon  is  begin- 
ning to  silver  the  leaves,  I  shall  bear  you  com- 
pany myself  for  part  of  the  way.  'Twas  I  who 
brought  you  into  the  wood." 

"  Nay,  I  protest  against  your  going  needlessly 
far,"  said  the  Sheriff. 

"  But  I  protest  that  I  am  loath  to  lose  your 
ompany,"  replied  Robin.  "  The  next  time  I 
may  not  be  so  pleased." 

And  he  took  the  Sheriff's  horse  by  the  bridle 
rein,  and  led  him  through  the  lane  and  by  many 
a  thicket  till  the  main  road  was  reached. 


68  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Now  fare  you  well,  good  Sheriff/'  he  said, 
"  and  when  next  you  think  to  despoil  a  poor 
prodigal,  remember  the  herd  you  would  have 
bought  over  against  Gamewell.  And  when  next 
you  employ  a  servant,  make  certain  that  he  is 
not  employing  you." 

So  saying  he  smote  the  nag's  haunch,  and  off 
went  the  Sheriff  upon  the  road  to  Nottingham. 

And  that  is  how — you  will  find  from  many 
ballads  that  came  to  be  sung  at  the  Sheriff's  ex- 
pense, and  which  are  known  even  to  the  present 
day, — that,  I  say,  is  how  the  Sheriff  lost  three 
good  servants  and  found  them  again. 


CHAPTER  VI 
HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  MET  WILL  SCARLET 

The  youngster  was  clothed  in  scarlet  red, 

In  scarlet  fine  and  gay ; 
And  he  did  frisk  it  o'er  the  plain, 

And  chanted  a  roundelay. 

ONE  fine  morning,  soon  after  the  proud 
Sheriff  had  been  brought  to  grief, 
Robin  Hood  and  Little  John  went 
strolling  down  a  path  through  the  wood.  It 
was  not  far  from  the  foot-bridge  where  they  had 
fought  their  memorable  battle ;  and  by  common 
impulse  they  directed  their  steps  to  the  brook 
to  quench  their  thirst  and  rest  them  in  the 
cool  bushes.  The  morning  gave  promise  of  a 
hot  day.  The  road  even  by  the  brook  was 
dusty.  So  the  cooling  stream  was  very  pleasing 
and  grateful  to  their  senses. 

On  each  side  of  them,  beyond  the  dusty  high- 
way, stretched  out  broad  fields  of  tender  young 
corn.     On  the  yon  side  of  the  fields  uprose  the 
sturdy  oaks  and  beeches  and  ashes  of  the  forest ; 
69 


70  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

while  at  their  feet  modest  violets  peeped  out 
shyly  and  greeted  the  loiterers  with  an  odor 
which  made  the  heart  glad.  Over  on  the  far 
side  of  the  brook  in  a  tiny  bay  floated  three 
lily-pads  ;  and  from  amid  some  clover  blossoms 
on  the  bank  an  industrious  bee  rose  with  the 
hum  of  busy  contentment.  It  was  a  day  so 
brimful  of  quiet  joy  that  the  two  friends  lay  flat 
on  their  backs  gazing  up  at  the  scurrying  clouds, 
and  neither  caring  to  break  the  silence. 

Presently  they  heard  some  one  coming  up  the 
road  whistling  gayly,  as  though  he  owned  the 
whole  world  and  'twas  but  made  to  whistle  in. 
Anon  he  chanted  a  roundelay  with  a  merry 
note. 

"  By  my  troth,  a  gay  bird !  "  quoth  Robin, 
raising  up  on  his  elbow.  "  Let  us  lie  still,  and 
trust  that  his  purse  is  not  as  light  as  his  heart." 

So  they  lay  still,  and  in  a  minute  more  up 
came  a  smart  stranger  dressed  in  scarlet  and  silk 
and  wearing  a  jaunty  hat  with  a  curling  cock 
feather  in  it.  His  whole  costume  was  of  scarlet, 
from  the  feather  to  the  silk  hosen  on  his 
legs.  A  goodly  sword  hung  at  his  side,  its 
scabbard  all  embossed  with  tilting  knights  and 
weeping  ladies.  His  hair  was  long  and  yellow 
and  hung  clustering  about  his  shoulders,  for 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet  71 

all  the  world  like  a  schoolgirl's ;  and  he  bore 
himself  with  as  mincing  a  gait  as  the  pertest  of 
them. 

Little  John  clucked  his  teeth  drolly  at  this 
sight.  "  By  my  troth,  a  gay  bird ! "  he  said 
echoing  the  other's  words — then  added,  "  But 
not  so  bad  a  build  for  all  his  prettiness.  Look 
you,  those  calves  and  thighs  are  well  rounded 
and  straight.  The  arms,  for  all  that  gold- 
wrought  cloak,  hang  stoutly  from  full  shoulders. 
I  warrant  you  the  fop  can  use  his  dainty  sword 
right  well  on  occasion." 

"  Nay,"  retorted  Robin,  "  he  is  naught  but  a 
ladies'  man  from  court.  My  long-bow  'gainst  a 
plugged  shilling  that  he  would  run  and  bellow 
lustily  at  sight  of  a  quarter-staff.  Stay  you  be- 
hind this  bush  and  I  will  soon  get  some  rare 
sport  out  of  him.  Belike  his  silk  purse  may 
contain  more  pennies  than  the  law  allows  to  one 
man  in  Sherwood  or  Barnesdale." 

So  saying  Robin  Hood  stepped  forth  briskly 
from  the  covert  and  planted  himself  in  the  way 
of  the  scarlet  stranger.  The  latter  had  walked 
so  slowly  that  he  was  scarce  come  to  their  rest- 
ing-place;  and  now  on  beholding  Robin  he 
neither  slackened  nor  quickened  his  pace  but 
sauntered  idly  straight  ahead,  looking  to  the 


72  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

right  and  to  the  left,  with  the  finest  air  in  the 
world,  but  never  once  at  Robin. 

"  Hold  !  "  quoth  the  outlaw.  "  What  mean  ye 
by  running  thus  over  a  wayfarer,  rough  shod  ?  " 

"  Wherefore  should  I  hold,  good  fellow  ?  "  said 
the  stranger  in  a  smooth  voice,  and  looking  at 
Robin  for  the  first  time. 

"  Because  I  bid  you  to,"  replied  Robin. 

"  And  who  may  you  be  ?  "  asked  the  other  as 
coolly  as  you  please. 

"  What  my  name  is  matters  not,"  said  Robin ; 
"  but  know  that  I  am  a  public  tax-gatherer  and 
equalizer  of  shillings.  If  your  purse  have  more 
than  a  just  number  of  shillings  or  pence,  I  must 
e'en  lighten  it  somewhat ;  for  there  are  many 
worthy  people  round  about  these  borders  who 
have  less  than  the  just  amount.  Wherefore, 
sweet  gentleman,  I  pray  you  hand  over  your 
purse  without  more  ado,  that  I  may  judge  of  its 
weight  in  proper  fashion." 

The  other  smiled  as  sweetly  as  though  a  lady 
were  paying  him  a  compliment. 

"  You  are  a  droll  fellow,"  he  said  calmly. 
"  Your  speech  amuses  me  mightily.  Pray 
continue,  if  you  have  not  done,  for  I  am  in 
no  hurry  this  morning." 

"  I    have    said   all   with    my    tongue    that   is 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet  73 

needful,"  retorted  Robin  beginning  to  grow  red 
under  the  collar.  "  Nathless,  I  have  other  argu- 
ments which  may  not  be  so  pleasing  to  your 
dainty  skin.  Prithee,  stand  and  deliver.  I 
promise  to  deal  fairly  with  the  purse." 

"  Alack-a-day  !  "  said  the  stranger  with  a  little 
shrug  of  his  shoulders  ;  "  I  am  deeply  sorrowful 
that  I  cannot  show  my  purse  to  every  rough  lout 
that  asks  to  see  it.  But  I  really  could  not,  as  I 
have  further  need  of  it  myself  and  every  farthing 
it  contains.  Wherefore,  pray  stand  aside." 

"  Nay  that  will  I  not !  and  'twill  go  the  harder 
with  you  if  you  do  not  yield  at  once." 

"  Good  fellow,"  said  the  other  gently,  "  have 
I  not  heard  all  your  speech  with  patience  ?  Now 
that  is  all  I  promised  to  do.  My  conscience  is 
salved  and  I  must  go  on  my  way.  <  To-rol-o- 
rol-e-loo  ! ' "  he  caroled  making  as  though  to 
depart. 

"  Hold,  I  say ! "  quoth  Robin  hotly ;  for  he 
knew  how  Little  John  must  be  chuckling  at  this 
from  behind  the  bushes.  "  Hold  I  say,  else  I 
shall  have  to  bloody  those  fair  locks  of  yours  !•" 
And  he  swung  his  quarter-staff  threateningly. 

"  Alas  ! "  moaned  the  stranger  shaking  his 
head.  "  The  pity  of  it  all !  Now  I  shall  have 
to  run  this  fellow  through  with  my  sword !  And 


74  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

I  had  hoped  to  be  a  peaceable  man  henceforth  !  " 
And  sighing  deeply  he  drew  his  shining  blade 
and  stood  on  guard. 

"  Put  by  your  weapon,"  said  Robin.  "  It  is  too 
pretty  a  piece  of  steel  to  get  cracked  with  a 
common  oak  cudgel;  and  that  is  what  would 
happen  on  the  first  pass  I  made  at  you.  Get  you 
a  stick  like  mine  out  of  yon  undergrowth,  and 
we  will  fight  fairly,  man  to  man." 

The  stranger  thought  a  moment  with  his  usual 
slowness,  and  eyed  Robin  from  head  to  foot. 
Then  he  unbuckled  his  scabbard,  laid  it  and  the 
sword  aside,  and  walked  deliberately  over  to  the 
oak  thicket.  Choosing  from  among  the  shoots 
and  saplings  he  found  a  stout  little  tree  to  his 
liking,  when  he  laid  hold  of  it,  without  stopping 
to  cut  it,  and  gave  a  tug.  Up  it  came  root  and 
all,  as  though  it  were  a  stalk  of  corn,  and  the 
stranger  walked  back  trimming  it  as  quietly  as 
though  pulling  up  trees  were  the  easiest  thing  in 
the  world. 

Little  John  from  his  hiding-place  saw  the  feat, 
and  could  hardly  restrain  a  long  whistle.  "  By 
our  Lady !  "  he  muttered  to  himself, "  I  would 
not  be  in  Master  Robin's  boots  !  " 

Whatever  Robin  thought  upon  seeing  the 
stranger's  strength,  he  uttered  not  a  word  and 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet  75 

budged  not  an  inch.  He  only  put  his  oak  staff 
at  parry  as  the  other  took  his  stand. 

There  was  a  threefold  surprise  that  day,  by 
the  brookside.  The  stranger  and  Robin  and 
Little  John  in  the  bushes  all  found  a  combat  that 
upset  all  reckoning.  The  stranger  for  all  his  easy 
strength  and  cool  nerve  found  an  antagonist  who 
met  his  blows  with  the  skill  of  a  woodman. 
Robin  found  the  stranger  as  hard  to  hit  as  though 
fenced  in  by  an  oak  hedge.  While  Little  John 
rolled  over  and  over  in  silent  joy. 

Back  and  forth  swayed  the  fighters,  their  cud- 
gels pounding  this  way  and  that,  knocking  off 
splinters  and  bark,  and  threatening  direst  dam- 
age to  bone  and  muscle  and  skin.  Back  and  forth 
they  pranced  kicking  up  a  cloud  of  dust  and 
gasping  for  fresh  air.  From  a  little  way  off  you 
would  have  vowed  that  these  two  men  were  try- 
ing to  put  out  a  fire,  so  thickly  hung  the  cloud  of 
battle  over  them.  Thrice  did  Robin  smite  the 
scarlet  man — with  such  blows  that  a  less  stout 
fellow  must  have  bowled  over.  Only  twice  did 
the  scarlet  man  smite  Robin,  but  the  second  blow 
was  like  to  finish  him.  The  first  had  been  deliv- 
ered over  the  knuckles,  and  though  'twas  a  glanc- 
ing stroke  it  well  nigh  broke  Robin's  fingers,  so 
that  he  could  not  easily  raise  his  staff  again. 


76  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

And  while  he  was  dancing  about  in  pain  and 
muttering  a  dust-covered  oath,  the  other's  staff 
came  swinging  through  the  cloud  at  one  side — 
zip  !  — and  struck  him  under  the  arm.  Down 
went  Robin  as  though  he  were  a  nine-pin — flat 
down  into  the  dust  of  the  road.  But  despite  the 
pain  he  was  bounding  up  again  like  an  India- 
rubber  man  to  renew  the  attack,  when  Little 
John  interfered. 

"  Hold ! "  said  he  bursting  out  of  the  bushes 
and  seizing  the  stranger's  weapon.  "  Hold,  I  say ! " 

"  Nay,"  retorted  the  stranger  quietly,  "  I  was 
not  offering  to  smite  him  while  he  was  down. 
But  if  there  be  a  whole  nest  of  you  hatching  here 
by  the  waterside,  cluck  out  the  other  chicks  and 
I'll  make  shift  to  fight  them  all." 

"  Not  for  all  the  deer  in  Sherwood ! "  cried 
Robin.  "  You  are  a  good  fellow  and  a  gentle- 
man. I'll  fight  no  more  with  you,  for  verily  I 
feel  sore  in  wrist  and  body.  Nor  shall  any  of 
mine  molest  you  henceforth." 

Sooth  to  say,  Robin  did  not  look  in  good  fight- 
ing trim.  His  clothes  were  coated  with  dirt, 
one  of  his  hosen  had  slipped  halfway  down  from 
his  knee,  the  sleeve  of  his  jerkin  was  split,  and  his 
face  was  streaked  with  sweat  and  dirt.  Little 
John  eyed  him  drolly. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet  77 

"  How  now,  good  master,"  quoth  he,  "  the 
sport  you  were  to  kick  up  has  left  you  in  sorry 
plight.  Let  me  dust  your  coat  for  you." 

"  Marry,  it  has  been  dusted  enough  already," 
replied  Robin ;  "  and  I  now  believe  the  Scripture 
saying  that  all  men  are  but  dust,  for  it  has  sifted 
me  through  and  through  and  lined  my  gullet  an 
inch  deep.  By  your  leave" — and  he  went  to  the 
brookside  and  drank  deep  and  laved  his  face  and 
hands. 

All  this  while  the  stranger  had  been  eyeing 
Robin  attentively  and  listening  to  his  voice  as 
though  striving  to  recall  it. 

"  If  I  mistake  not,"  he  said  slowly  at  last,  "  you 
are  that  famous  outlaw,  Robin  Hood  of  Barnes- 
dale." 

"  You  say  right,"  replied  Robin ;  "  but  my 
fame  has  been  tumbling  sadly  about  in  the  dust 
to-day." 

"  Now  why  did  I  not  know  you  at  once  ?  " 
continued  the  stranger.  "  This  battle  need  not 
have  happened,  for  I  came  abroad  to  find  you 
to-day,  and  thought  to  have  remembered  your 
face  and  speech.  Know  you  not  me,  Rob,  my 
lad  ?  Hast  ever  been  to  Gamewell  Lodge  ?  " 

"  Ha !  Will  Gamewell !  my  dear  old  chum, 
Will  Gamewell !  "  shouted  Robin  throwing  his 


78  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

arms  about  the  other  in  sheer  affection.  "  What 
an  ass  I  was  not  to  recognize  you !  But  it  has 
been  years  since  we  parted,  and  your  gentle 
schooling  has  polished  you  off  mightily/' 

Will  embraced  his  cousin  no  less  heartily. 
"  We  are  quits  on  not  knowing  kinsmen,"  he  said, 
"  for  you  have  changed  and  strengthened  much 
from  the  stripling  with  whom  I  used  to  run  foot 
races  in  old  Sherwood/' 

"  But  why  seek  you  me  ?  "  asked  Robin.  "  You 
know  I  am  an  outlaw  and  dangerous  company. 
And  how  left  you  mine  uncle?  and  have  you 
heard  aught  of  late  of — of  Maid  Marian  ?  " 

"Your  last  question  first/'  answered  Will, 
laughing,  "  for  I  perceive  that  it  lies  nearest  your 
heart.  I  saw  Maid  Marian  not  many  weeks  after 
the  great  shooting  at  Nottingham,  when  you  won 
her  the  golden  arrow.  She  prizes  the  bauble 
among  her  dearest  possessions,  though  it  has 
made  her  an  enemy  in  the  Sheriff's  proud  daugh- 
ter. Maid  Marian  bade  me  tell  you,  if  I  ever 
saw  you,  that  she  must  return  to  Queen  Eleanor's 
court,  but  she  could  never  forget  the  happy  days 
in  the  greenwood.  As  for  the  old  Squire  he  is 
still  hale  and  hearty,  though  rheumatic  withal. 
He  speaks  of  you  as  a  sad  young  dog,  but  for  all 
that  is  secretly  proud  of  your  skill  at  the  bow  and 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Will  Scarlet  79 

of  the  way  you  are  pestering  the  Sheriff,  whom  he 
likes  not.  'Twas  for  my  father's  sake  that  I  am 
now  in  the  open,  an  outlaw  like  yourself.  He 
has  had  a  steward,  a  surly  fellow  enough,  who, 
while  I  was  away  at  school,  boot-licked  his  way 
to  favor  until  he  lorded  it  over  the  whole  house. 
Then  he  grew  right  saucy  and  impudent,  but  my 
father  minded  it  not,  deeming  the  fellow  indis- 
pensable in  managing  the  estate.  But  when  I 
came  back  it  irked  me  sorely  to  see  the  fellow 
strut  about  as  though  he  owned  the  place.  He 
was  sly  enough  with  me  at  first,  and  would  brow- 
beat the  Squire  only  while  I  was  out  of  earshot. 
It  chanced  one  day,  however,  that  I  heard  loud 
voices  through  an  open  window  and  paused  to 
hearken.  That  vile  servant  called  my  father  *  a 
meddling  old  fool.'  <  Fool  and  meddler  art  thou 
thyself,  varlet,'  I  shouted  springing  through  the 
window,  '  that  for  thy  impudence ! '  and  in  my 
heat  I  smote  him  a  blow  mightier  than  I  in- 
tended, for  I  have  some  strength  in  mine  arm. 
The  fellow  rolled  over  and  never  breathed  after- 
wards. I  think  I  broke  his  neck  or  something 
the  like.  Then  I  knew  that  the  Sheriff  would  use 
this  as  a  pretext  to  hound  my  father,  if  I  tarried. 
So  I  bade  the  Squire  farewell  and  told  him  I 
would  seek  you  in  Sherwood." 


80  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Now  by  my  halidom  !  "  said  Robin  Hood  ; 
"  for  a  man  escaping  the  law,  you  took  it  about  as 
coolly  as  one  could  wish.  To  see  you  come  trip- 
ping along  decked  out  in  all  your  gay  plumage 
and  trolling  forth  a  roundelay,  one  would  think 
you  had  not  a  care  in  all  the  world.  Indeed  I 
remarked  to  Little  John  here  that  I  hoped  your 
purse  was  not  as  light  as  your  heart." 

"  Belike  you  meant  head"  laughed  Will ;  "  and 
is  this  Little  John  the  Great?  Shake  hands  with 
me,  an  you  will,  and  promise  me  to  cross  a  staff 
with  me  in  friendly  bout  some  day  in  the  forest !  " 

"  That  will  I  !  "  quoth  Little  John  heartily. 
"  Here's  my  hand  on  it.  What  is  your  last 
name  again,  say  you  ?  " 

"  Tis  to  be  changed,"  interposed  Robin ;  "  then 
shall  the  men  armed  with  warrants  go  hang  for 
all  of  us.  Let  me  bethink  myself.  Ah ! — I 
have  it !  In  scarlet  he  came  to  us,  and  that  shall 
be  his  name  henceforth.  Welcome  to  the  green- 
wood, Will  Scarlet ! " 

"Aye,  welcome,  Will  Scarlet!"  said  Little 
John ;  and  they  all  clasped  hands  again  and 
swore  to  be  true  each  to  the  other  and  to  Robin 
Hood's  men  in  Sherwood  Forest. 


CHAPTER  VII 
HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  MET  FRIAR  TUCK 

The  friar  took  Robin  Hood  on  his  back, 

Deep  water  he  did  bestride, 
And  spake  neither  good  word  nor  bad, 

Till  he  came  at  the  other  side. 

IN  summer  time  when  leaves  grow  green, 
and  flowers  are  fresh  and  gay,  Robin  Hood 
and  his  merry  men  were  all  disposed  to  play. 
Thus  runs  a  quaint  old  ballad  which  begins  the 
next  adventure.  Then  some  would  leap  and 
some  would  run  and  some  try  archery  and  some 
ply  the  quarter-staff  and  some  fall  to  with  the 
good  broad  sword.  Some  again  would  try  a 
round  at  buffet  and  fisticuff;  and  thus  by  every 
variety  of  sport  and  exercise  they  perfected 
themselves  in  skill  and  made  the  band  and  its 
prowess  well  known  throughout  all  England. 

It  had  been  a  custom  of  Robin  Hood's  to  pick 
out  the  best  men  in  all  the  countryside.     When- 
ever he  heard  of  one  more  than  usually  skilled  in 
any  feat  of  arms  he  would  seek  the  man  and  test 
81 


82  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

him  in  personal  encounter — which  did  not  al- 
ways end  happily  for  Robin.  And  when  he  had 
found  a  man  to  his  liking  he  offered  him  serv- 
ice with  the  bold  fellows  of  Sherwood  Forest. 

Thus  it  came  about  that  one  day  after  a 
practice  at  shooting,  in  which  Little  John  struck 
down  a  hart  at  five  hundred  feet  distance,  Robin 
Hood  was  fain  to  boast. 

"  God's  blessing  on  your  heart !  "  he  cried, 
clapping  the  burly  fellow  on  the  shoulder ;  "  I 
would  travel  an  hundred  miles  to  find  one  who 
could  match  you  !  " 

At  this  Will  Scarlet  laughed  full  roundly. 

"  There  lives  a  curtail  friar  in  Fountain's  Abbey 
— Tuck,  by  name — who  can  beat  both  him  and 
you,"  he  said. 

Robin  pricked  up  his  ears  at  this  free  speech. 

"  By  our  Lady,"  he  said,  "  I'll  neither  eat  nor 
drink  till  I  see  this  same  friar." 

And  with  his  usual  impetuosity  he  at  once 
set  about  arming  himself  for  the  adventure.  On 
his  head  he  placed  a  cap  of  steel.  Underneath 
his  Lincoln  green  he  wore  a  coat  of  chain  metal. 
Then  with  sword  and  buckler  girded  at  his  side 
he  made  a  goodly  show.  But  he  also  took  with 
him  his  stout  yew  bow  and  a  sheaf  of  chosen 
arrows. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    83 

So  he  set  forth  upon  his  way  with  blithe  heart ; 
for  it  was  a  day  when  the  whole  face  of  the 
earth  seemed  glad  and  rejoicing  in  pulsing  life. 
Steadily  he  pressed  forward  by  winding  ways  till 
he  came  to  a  green  broad  pasture  land  at 
whose  edge  flowed  a  stream  dipping  in  and  out 
among  the  willows  and  rushes  on  the  banks.  A 
pleasant  stream  it  was,  but  it  flowed  calmly  as 
though  of  some  depth  in  the  middle.  Robin  did 
not  fancy  getting  his  feet  wet,  or  his  fine  suit  of 
mail  rusted,  so  he  paused  on  the  hither  bank  to 
rest  and  take  his  bearings. 

As  he  sat  down  quietly  under  the  shade  of  a 
drooping  willow  he  heard  snatches  of  a  jovial 
song  floating  to  him  from  the  farther  side  ;  then 
came  a  sound  of  two  men's  voices  arguing.  One 
was  upholding  the  merits  of  hasty  pudding  and 
the  other  stood  out  stoutly  for  meat  pie,  "es- 
pecially " — quoth  this  one — "  when  flavored 
with  young  onions  !  " 

"  Gramercy  ! "  muttered  Robin  to  himself, 
"  that  is  a  tantalizing  speech  to  a  hungry  man  ! 
But,  odds  boddikins !  did  ever  two  men  talk 
more  alike  than  those  two  fellows  yonder ! " 

In  truth  Robin  could  well  marvel  at  the  speech, 
for  the  voices  were  curiously  alike. 

Presently  the  willows  parted  on  the  other  bank, 


84  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

and  Robin  could  hardly  forebear  laughing  out- 
right. His  mystery  was  explained.  It  was  not 
two  men  who  had  done  all  this  singing  and  talk- 
ing, but  one — and  that  one  a  stout  curtail  friar 
who  wore  a  long  cloak  over  his  portly  framt, 
tied  with  a  cord  in  the  middle.  On  his  head  was 
a  knight's  helmet,  and  in  his  hand  was  a  no  more 
warlike  weapon  than  a  huge  pasty  pie,  with 
which  he  sat  down  by  the  water's  edge.  His 
twofold  argument  was  finished.  The  meat  pie 
had  triumphed  ;  and  no  wonder !  for  it  was  the 
present  witness,  soon  to  give  its  own  testimony. 
But  first  the  friar  took  off  his  helmet  to  cool 
his  head,  and  a  droll  picture  he  made.  His  head 
was  as  round  as  an  apple,  and  eke  as  smooth  in 
spots.  A  fringe  of  close  curling  black  hair  grew 
round  the  base  of  his  skull,  but  his  crown  was 
bare  and  shiny  as  an  egg.  His  cheeks  also 
were  smooth  and  red  and  shiny ;  and  his  little 
gray  eyes  danced  about  with  the  funniest  air  imag- 
inable. You  would  not  have  blamed  Robin  Hood 
for  wanting  to  laugh,  had  you  heard  this  serious 
two-faced  talk  and  then  seen  this  jovial  one-faced 
man.  Good  humor  and  fat  living  stood  out  all 
over  him  ;  yet  for  all  that  he  looked  stout  enough 
and  able  to  take  care  of  himself  with  any  man. 
His  short  neck  was  thick  like  that  of  a  Berkshire 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    85 

bull ;  his  shoulders  were  set  far  back,  and  his 
arms  sprouted  therefrom  like  two  oak  limbs.  As 
he  sat  him  down,  the  cloak  fell  apart  disclosing  a 
sword  and  buckler  as  stout  as  Robin's  own. 

Nathless,  Robin  was  not  dismayed  at  sight  of 
the  weapons.  Instead,  his  heart  fell  within  him 
when  he  saw  the  meat  pie  which  was  now  in  fair 
way  to  be  devoured  before  his  very  eyes ;  for  the 
friar  lost  no  time  in  thrusting  one  hand  deep 
into  the  pie,  while  he  crossed  himself  with  the 
other. 

Thereupon  Robin  seized  his  bow  and  fitted  a 
shaft. 

"  Hey,  friar!"  he  sang  out,  "  carry  me  over 
the  water,  or  else  I  cannot  answer  for  your 
safety." 

The  other  started  at  the  unexpected  greeting, 
and  laid  his  hand  upon  his  sword.  Then  he 
looked  up  and  beheld  Robin's  arrow  pointing 
full  upon  him. 

"  Put  down  your  bow,  fellow,"  he  shouted 
back,  "  and  I  will  bring  you  over  the  brook. 
Tis  our  duty  in  life  to  help  each  other,  and  your 
keen  shaft  shows  me  that  you  are  a  man  worthy 
of  some  attention." 

So  the  friar  knight  got  him  up  gravely,  though 
his  eyes  twinkled  with  a  cunning  light,  and  laid 


86  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

aside  his  beloved  pie  and  his  cloak  and  his  sword 
and  his  buckler,  and  waded  across  the  stream 
with  waddling  dignity.  Then  he  took  Robin 
Hood  upon  his  back  and  spoke  neither  good 
word  nor  bad  till  he  came  to  the  other  side. 

Lightly  leaped  Robin  off  his  back,  and  said, 
"  I  am  much  beholden  to  you,  good  father." 

"  Beholden,  say  you ! "  rejoined  the  other 
drawing  his  sword ;  "  then  by  my  faith  you  shall 
e'en  repay  your  score.  Now  mine  own  affairs, 
which  are  of  a  spiritual  kind  and  much  more  im- 
portant than  yours  which  are  carnal,  lie  on  the 
other  side  of  this  stream.  I  see  that  you  are  a 
likely  man  and  one,  moreover,  who  would  not 
refuse  to  serve  the  church.  I  must  therefore 
pray  of  you  that  whatsoever  I  have  done  unto 
you,  you  will  do  also  unto  me.  In  short,  my 
son,  you  must  e'en  carry  me  back  again." 

Courteously  enough  was  this  said ;  but  so  sud- 
denly had  the  friar  drawn  his  sword  that  Robin 
had  no  time  to  unsling  his  bow  from  his  back, 
whither  he  had  placed  it  to  avoid  getting  it  wet, 
or  to  unfasten  his  scabbard.  So  he  was  fain  to 
temporize. 

"  Nay,  good  father,  but  I  shall  get  my  feet 
wet,"  he  commenced. 

"  Are  your  feet  any  better  than  mine  ?  "  re- 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    87 

torted  the  other.  "  I  fear  me  now  that  I  have 
already  wetted  myself  so  sadly  as  to  lay  in  a  store 
of  rheumatic  pains  by  way  of  penance." 

"  I  am  not  so  strong  as  you,"  continued  Robin  ; 
"  that  helmet  and  sword  and  buckler  would  be 
my  undoing  on  the  uncertain  footing  amidstream, 
to  say  nothing  of  your  holy  flesh  and  bones." 

"  Then  I  will  lighten  up,  somewhat,"  replied 
the  other  calmly.  "  Promise  to  carry  me  across 
and  I  will  lay  aside  my  war  gear." 

"  Agreed,"  said  Robin ;  and  the  friar  thereupon 
stripped  himself;  and  Robin  bent  his  stout  back 
and  took  him  up  even  as  he  had  promised. 

Now  the  stones  at  the  bottom  of  the  stream 
were  round  and  slippery,  and  the  current  swept 
along  strongly,  waist-deep,  in  the  middle.  More- 
ever  Robin  had  a  heavier  load  than  the  other 
had  borne,  nor  did  he  know  the  ford.  So  he 
went  stumbling  along  now  stepping  into  a  deep 
hole,  now  stumbling  over  a  bowlder  in  a  manner 
that  threatened  to  unseat  his  rider  or  plunge 
them  both  clear  under  current.  But  the  fat  friar 
hung  on  and  dug  his  heels  into  his  steed's  ribs 
in  as  gallant  manner  as  if  he  were  riding  in  a 
tournament ;  while  as  for  poor  Robin  the  sweat 
ran  down  him  in  torrents  and  he  gasped  like  the 
winded  horse  he  was.  But  at  last  he  managed 


88  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

to  stagger  out  on  the  bank  and  deposit  his  un- 
wieldy load. 

No  sooner  had  he  set  the  friar  down  than  he 
seized  his  own  sword. 

"  Now,  holy  friar,"  quoth  he,  panting  and  wip- 
ing the  sweat  from  his  brow,  "  what  say  the 
Scriptures  that  you  quote  so  glibly  ? — Be  not 
weary  of  well  doing.  You  must  carry  me  back 
again  or  I  swear  that  I  will  make  a  cheese-cloth 
out  of  your  jacket !  " 

The  friar's  gray  eyes  once  more  twinkled  with 
a  cunning  gleam  that  boded  no  good  to  Robin  ; 
but  his  voice  was  as  calm  and  courteous  as  ever. 

"  Your  wits  are  keen,  my  son,"  he  said ;  "  and 
I  see  that  the  waters  of  the  stream  have  not 
quenched  your  spirit.  Once  more  will  I  bend 
my  back  to  the  oppressor  and  carry  the  weight 
of  the  haughty." 

So  Robin  mounted  again  in  high  glee,  and 
carried  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  went  prepared 
to  tarry  upon  the  other  side.  But  while  he  was  be- 
thinking himself  what  great  words  to  use,  when 
he  should  arrive  thither,  he  felt  himself  slipping 
from  the  friar's  broad  back.  He  clutched  fran- 
tically to  save  himself  but  had  too  round  a  sur- 
face to  grasp,  besides  being  hampered  by  his 
weapon.  So  down  went  he  with  a  loud  splash 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    89 

into  the  middle  of  the  stream,  where  the  crafty 
friar  had  conveyed  him. 

"  There !  "  quoth  the  holy  man  ;  "  choose  you, 
choose  you,  my  fine  fellow,  whether  you  will 
sink  or  swim  !  "  And  he  gained  his  own  bank 
without  more  ado,  while  Robin  thrashed  and  splut- 
tered about  until  he  made  shift  to  grasp  a  willow 
wand  and  thus  haul  himself  ashore  on  the  other 
side. 

Then  Robin's  rage  waxed  furious,  despite  his 
wetting,  and  he  took  his  bow  and  his  arrows  and 
let  fly  one  shaft  after  another  at  the  worthy  friar. 
But  they  rattled  harmlessly  off  his  steel  buckler, 
while  he  laughed  and  minded  them  no  more 
than  if  they  had  been  hail-stones. 

"  Shoot  on,  shoot  on,  good  fellow,"  he  sang 
out ;  "  shoot  as  you  have  begun ;  if  you  shoot  here 
a  summer's  day,  your  mark  I  will  not  shun  ! " 

So  Robin  shot,  and  passing  well,  till  all  his  ar- 
rows were  gone,  when  from  very  rage  he  began 
to  revile  him. 

"  You  bloody  villain  !  "  shouted  he,  "  you 
psalm-singing  hypocrite  !  You  reviler  of  good 
hasty  pudding !  Come  but  within  reach  of  my 
sword  arm,  and,  friar  or  no  friar,  I'll  shave  your 
tonsure  closer  than  ever  bald-pated  monk  was 
shaven  before  !  " 


go  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Soft  you  and  fair !  "  said  the  friar  uncon- 
cernedly ;  "  hard  words  are  cheap,  and  you  may 
need  your  wind  presently.  An  you  would  like  a 
bout  with  swords,  meet  me  halfway  i'  the  stream." 

And  with  this  speech  the  friar  waded  into  the 
brook,  sword  in  hand,  where  he  was  met  half 
way  by  the  impetuous  outlaw. 

Thereupon  began  a  fierce  and  mighty  battle. 
Up  and  down,  in  and  out,  back  and  forth  they 
fought.  The  swords  flashed  in  the  rays  of  the 
declining  sun  and  then  met  with  a  clash  that 
would  have  shivered  less  sturdy  weapons  or  dis- 
armed less  sturdy  wielders.  Many  a  smart  blow 
was  landed,  but  each  perceived  that  the  other 
wore  an  undercoat  of  linked  mail  which  might 
not  be  pierced.  Nathless,  their  ribs  ached  at  the 
force  of  the  blows.  Once  and  again  they  paused 
by  mutual  consent  and  caught  breath  and  looked 
hard  each  at  the  other ;  for  never  had  either  met 
so  stout  a  fellow. 

Finally  in  a  furious  onset  of  lunge  and  parry 
Robin's  foot  stepped  on  a  rolling  stone,  and  he 
went  down  upon  his  knees.  But  his  antagonist 
would  not  take  this  advantage  :  he  paused  until 
Robin  should  get  upon  his  feet. 

"  Now  by  our  Lady  !  "  cried  the  outlaw,  using 
his  favorite  oath,  "  you  are  the  fairest  swordsman 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    91 

that  I  have  met  in  many  a  long  day.  I  would 
beg  a  boon  of  you/* 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  said  the  other. 

"  Give  me  leave  to  set  my  horn  to  my  mouth 
and  blow  three  blasts  thereon." 

"  That  will  I  do,"  said  the  curtail  friar,  "  blow 
till  your  breath  fails,  an  it  please  you." 

Then — says  the  old  ballad — Robin  Hood  set  his 
horn  to  his  mouth  and  blew  three  mighty  blasts ; 
and  half  a  hundred  yeomen,  with  bows  bent, 
came  raking  over  the  lee. 

"  Whose  men  are  these,"  said  the  friar,  "  that 
come  so  hastily  ?  " 

"  These  men  are  mine,"  said  Robin  Hood, 
feeling  that  his  time  to  laugh  was  come  at  last. 

Then  said  the  friar  in  his  turn,  "  A  boon,  a 
boon,  the  like  I  gave  to  you.  Give  me  leave  to 
set  my  fist  to  my  mouth  and  whistle  three  blasts 
thereon." 

"  That  will  I  do,"  said  Robin,  "  or  else  I  were 
lacking  in  courtesy." 

The  friar  set  his  fist  to  his  mouth  and  put  the 
horn  to  shame  by  the  piercing  whistles  he  blew ; 
whereupon  half  a  hundred  great  dogs  came  run- 
ning and  jumping  so  swiftly  that  they  had 
reached  their  bank  as  soon  as  Robin  Hood's 
men  had  reached  his  side. 


92  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Then  followed  a  rare  foolish  conflict.  Stutely, 
Much,  Little  John  and  the  other  outlaws  began 
sending  their  arrows  whizzing  toward  the  op- 
posite bank  ;  but  the  dogs,  which  were  taught 
of  the  friar,  dodged  the  missiles  cleverly  and  ran 
and  fetched  them  back  again  in  their  mouths, 
just  as  the  dogs  of  to-day  catch  sticks. 

"  I  have  never  seen  the  like  of  this  in  my 
days  !  "  cried  Little  John,  amazed.  "  Tis  rank 
sorcery  and  witchcraft." 

"  Take  off  your  dogs,  Friar  Tuck !  "  shouted 
Will  Scarlet,  who  had  but  then  run  up,  and  who 
now  stood  laughing  heartily  at  the  scene. 

"  Friar  Tuck  !  "  exclaimed  Robin,  astounded. 
"  Are  you  Friar  Tuck  ?  Then  am  I  your  friend, 
for  you  are  he  I  came  to  seek." 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  anchorite,  a  curtail  friar," 
said  the  other,  whistling  to  his  pack,  "  by  name 
Friar  Tuck  of  Fountain's  Dale.  For  seven  years 
have  I  tended  the  Abbey  here,  preached  o'  Sun- 
days, and  married  and  christened  and  buried  folk 
— aye  and  fought  too,  if  need  were ;  and  if  it 
smacks  not  too  much  of  boasting,  I  have  not  yet 
met  the  knight  or  trooper  or  yeoman  that  I 
would  yield  before.  But  yours  is  a  stout  blade. 
I  would  fain  know  you." 

"  Tis  Robin  Hood,  the  outlaw,  who  has  been 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Friar  Tuck    93 

assisting  you  at  this  christening,"  said  Will 
Scarlet  glancing  roguishly  at  the  two  opponents' 
dripping  garments.  And  at  this  sally  the  whole 
band  burst  into  a  shout  of  laughter,  in  which 
Robin  and  Friar  Tuck  joined. 

"  Robin  Hood  !  "  cried  the  good  friar  presently, 
holding  his  sides  ;  "  are  you  indeed  that  famous 
yeoman?  Then  I  like  you  well;  and  had  I 
known  you  earlier,  I  would  have  both  carried 
you  across  and  shared  my  pasty  pie  with  you." 

"  To  speak  soothly,"  replied  Robin  gaily, 
"  'twas  that  same  pie  that  led  me  to  be  rude. 
Now,  therefore,  bring  it  and  your  dogs  and 
repair  with  us  to  the  greenwood.  We  have 
need  of  you, — with  this  message  came  I  to-day 
to  seek  you.  We  will  build  you  a  hermitage  in 
Sherwood  Forest,  and  you  shall  keep  us  from 
evil  ways.  Will  you  not  join  our  band  ?  " 

"  Marry,  that  will  I  ! "  cried  Friar  Tuck 
jovially.  "  Once  more  will  I  cross  this  much  be- 
forded  stream,  and  go  with  you  to  the  good 
greenwood!  " 


CHAPTER  VIII 

HOW  ALLAN-A-DALE'S  WOOING  WAS  PROS- 
PERED 

"  What  is  thy  name  ?  "  then  said  Robin  Hood, 

"  Come  tell  me,  without  any  fail." 
"  By  the  faith  o'  my  body,"  then  said  the  young  man, 

"  My  name  it  is  Allan-a-Dale." 

FRIAR  TUCK  and  Much  the  miller's  son 
soon  became  right  good  friends  over  the 
steaming  stew  they  jointly  prepared  for 
the  merry  men  that  evening.  Tuck  was  mightily 
pleased  when  he  found  a  man  in  the  forest  who 
could  make  pasties  and  who  had  cooked  for  no 
less  person  than  the  High  Sheriff  himself.  While 
Much  marveled  at  the  friar's  knowledge  of  herbs 
and  simples  and  woodland  things  which  savored 
a  stew  greatly.  So  they  gabbled  together  like 
two  old  gossips  and,  between  them,  made  such  a 
tasty  mess  that  Robin  Hood  and  his  stout  fol- 
lowers were  like  never  to  leave  off  eating.  And 
the  friar  said  grace  too,  with  great  unction,  over 
the  food  ;  and  Robin  said  Amen  !  and  that  hence- 
94 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  95 

forth  they  were  always  to  have  mass  of  Sun- 
days. 

So  Robin  walked  forth  into  the  wood  that 
evening  with  his  stomach  full  and  his  heart, 
therefore,  in  great  contentment  and  love  for 
other  men.  He  did  not  stop  the  first  passer-by, 
as  his  manner  often  was,  and  desire  a  fight. 
Instead,  he  stepped  behind  a  tree,  when  he  heard 
a  man's  voice  in  song,  and  waited  to  behold  the 
singer.  Perhaps  he  remembered,  also,  the  merry 
chanting  of  Will  Scarlet,  and  how  he  had  tried  to 
give  it  pause  a  few  days  before. 

Like  Will,  this  fellow  was  clad  in  scarlet, 
though  he  did  not  look  quite  as  fine  a  gentleman. 
Nathless,  he  was  a  sturdy  yoeman  of  honest  face 
and  a  voice  far  sweeter  than  Will's.  He  seemed 
to  be  a  strolling  minstrel,  for  he  bore  a  harp  in 
his  hand,  which  he  thrummed,  while  his  lusty 
tenor  voice  rang  out  with  — 

"  Hey  down,  and  a  down,  and  a  down ! 
I've  a  lassie  back  i'  the  town ; 
Come  day,  come  night, 
Come  dark  or  light, 
She  will  wed  me,  back  i'  the  town !  " 

Robin  let  the  singer  pass,  caroling  on  his  way. 

"  'Tis    not    in    me  to   disturb  a  light-hearted 

lover,  this    night/'  he   muttered,  a  memory  of 


96  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Marian  coming  back  to  him.  "  Pray  heaven  she 
may  be  true  to  him  and  the  wedding  be  a  gay 
one  '  back  i'  the  town  ! ' ' 

So  Robin  went  back  to  his  camp,  where  he 
told  of  the  minstrel. 

"  If  any  of  ye  set  eyes  on  him  after  this," 
quoth  he  in  ending,  "  bring  him  to  me,  for  I 
would  have  speech  with  him." 

The  very  next  day  his  wish  was  gratified. 
Little  John  and  Much  the  miller's  son  were  out 
together  on  a  foraging  expedition  when  they 
espied  the  same  young  man ;  at  least,  they 
thought  it  must  be  he,  for  he  was  clad  in  scarlet 
and  carried  a  harp  in  his  hand.  But  now  he 
came  drooping  along  the  way ;  his  scarlet  was 
all  in  tatters ;  and  at  every  step  he  fetched  a 
sigh,  "  Alack  and  a  well-a-day  !  " 

Then  stepped  forth  Little  John  and  Much  the 
miller's  son. 

"  Ho  !  do  not  wet  the  earth  with  your  weep- 
ing," said  Little  John,  "  else  we  shall  all  have 
lumbago." 

No  sooner  did  the  young  man  catch  sight  of 
them  than  he  bent  his  bow,  and  held  an  arrow 
back  to  his  ear. 

"  Stand  off!  stand  off!  "  he  said  ; "  what  is  your 
will  with  me?" 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  97 

"  Put  by  your  weapon,"  said  Much,  "  we  will 
not  harm  you.  But  you  must  come  before  our 
master  straight,  under  yon  greenwood  tree.1' 

So  the  minstrel  put  by  his  bow  and  suffered 
himself  to  be  led  before  Robin  Hood. 

"  How  now  !  "  quoth  Robin,  when  he  beheld 
his  sorry  countenance,  "  are  you  not  he  whom  I 
heard  no  longer  ago  than  yesternight  caroling  so 
blithely  about '  a  lassie  back  i'  the  town '  ?  " 

"  The  same  in  body,  good  sir,"  replied  the  other 
sadly ;  "  but  my  spirit  is  grievously  changed. 

"  Tell  me  your  tale,"  said  Robin  courteously. 
"  Belike  I  can  help  you." 

"  That  can  no  man  on  earth,  I  fear,"  said  the 
stranger ;  "  nathless,  I'll  tell  you  the  tale.  Yes- 
terday I  stood  pledged  to  a  maid,  and  thought 
soon  to  wed  her.  But  she  has  been  taken  from 
me  and  is  to  become  an  old  knight's  bride  this 
very  day ;  and  as  for  me,  I  care  not  what  ending 
comes  to  my  days,  or  how  soon,  without  her." 

"  Marry,  come  up !  "  said  Robin  ;  "  how  got 
the  old  knight  so  sudden  vantage  ?  " 

"  Look  you,  worship,  'tis  this  way.  The 
Normans  overrun  us,  and  are  in  such  great  favor 
that  none  may  say  them  nay.  This  old  returned 
Crusader  coveted  the  land  whereon  my  lady 
dwells.  The  estate  is  not  large,  but  all  in  her 


98  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

own  right ;  whereupon  her  brother  says  she 
shall  wed  a  title,  and  he  and  the  old  knight  have 
fixed  it  up  for  to-day." 

"  Nay,  but  surely "  began  Robin. 

"  Hear  me  out,  worship,"  said  the  other. 
"  Belike  you  think  me  a  sorry  dog  not  to  make 
fight  of  this.  But  the  old  knight,  look  you,  is  not 
come-at-able.  I  threw  one  of  his  varlets  into  a 
thorn  hedge,  and  another  into  a  water-butt,  and 
a  third  landed  head-first  into  a  ditch.  But  I 
couldn't  do  any  fighting  at  all." 

"  Tis  a  pity ! "  quoth  Little  John  gravely. 
He  had  been  sitting  cross-legged  listening  to 
this  tale  of  woe.  "  What  think  you,  Friar 
Tuck,  doth  not  a  bit  of  fighting  ease  a  man's 
mind?" 

"  Blood-letting  is  ofttimes  recommended  of 
the  leeches,"  replied  Tuck. 

"  Does  the  maid  love  you  ? "  asked  Robin 
Hood. 

"  By  our  troth,  she  loved  me  right  well,"  said 
the  minstrel.  "  I  have  a  little  ring  of  hers  by 
me  which  I  have  kept  for  seven  long  years." 

"What  is  your  name?"  then  said  Robin 
Hood. 

"  By  the  faith  of  my  body,"  replied  the  young 
man,  "  my  name  is  Allan-a-Dale." 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  99 

"  What  will  you  give  me  Allan-a-Dale,"  said 
Robin  Hood,  "  in  ready  gold  or  fee,  to  help  you 
to  your  true  love  again,  and  deliver  her  back  unto 
you  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  money,  save  only  five  shillings," 
quoth  Allan  ;  "  but — are  you  not  Robin  Hood  ?  " 

Robin  nodded. 

"  Then  you,  if  any  one,  can  aid  me  ! "  said 
Allan-a-Dale  eagerly.  "  And  if  you  give  me 
back  my  love,  I  swear  upon  a  book  that  I 
will  be  your  true  servant  forever  after." 

"  Where  is  this  wedding  to  take  place,  and 
when  ?  "  asked  Robin. 

"  At  Plympton  Church,  scarce  five  miles  from 
here  ;  and  at  three  o'  the  afternoon." 

"  Then  to  Plympton  we  will  go  !  "  cried  Robin 
suddenly  springing  into  action  ;  and  he  gave  out 
orders  like  a  general :  "  Will  Stutely,  do  you 
have  four-and-twenty  good  men  over  against 
Plympton  Church  'gainst  three  o'  the  afternoon. 
Much,  good  fellow,  do  you  cook  up  some  por- 
ridge for  this  youth,  for  he  must  have  a  good 
round  stomach — aye,  and  a  better  gear !  Will 
Scarlet,  you  will  see  to  decking  him  out  bravely 
for  the  nonce.  And  Friar  Tuck,  hold  yourself  in 
readiness,  good  book  in  hand,  at  the  church. 
Mayhap  you  had  best  go  ahead  of  us  all." 


loo  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  fat  Bishop  of  Hereford  was  full  of  pomp 
and  importance  that  day  at  Plympton  Church. 
He  was  to  celebrate  the  marriage  of  an  old 
knight — a  returned  Crusader — and  a  landed 
young  woman  ;  and  all  the  gentry  thereabout 
were  to  grace  the  occasion  with  their  presence. 
The  church  itself  was  gaily  festooned  with  flow- 
ers for  the  ceremony,  while  out  in  the  church- 
yard at  one  side  brown  ale  flowed  freely  for  all 
the  servitors. 

Already  were  the  guests  beginning  to  as- 
semble, when  the  Bishop,  back  in  the  vestry,  saw 
a  minstrel  clad  in  green  walk  up  boldly  to  the 
door  and  peer  within.  It  was  Robin  Hood,  who 
had  borrowed  Allan's  be-ribboned  harp  for  the 
time. 

"  Now  who  are  you,  fellow  ? "  quoth  the 
Bishop,  "  and  what  do  you  here  at  the  church- 
door  with  your  harp  and  saucy  air?  " 

"  May  it  please  your  Reverence,"  returned 
Robin  bowing  very  humbly,  "  I  am  but  a  stroll- 
ing harper,  yet  likened  the  best  in  the  whole 
North  Countree.  And  I  had  hope  that  my 
thrumming  might  add  zest  to  the  wedding 
to-day." 

"  What  tune  can  you  harp  ? "  demanded  the 
Bishop. 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  iqit 

"  I  can  harp  a  tune  so .  merry  that  a  forlorn 
lover  will  forget  he  is  jilted/'  said  Robin.  "  i 
can  harp  another  tune  that  will  make  a  bride 
forsake  her  lord  at  the  altar.  I  can  harp  another 
tune  that  will  bring  loving  souls  together  though 
they  were  up  hill  and  down  dale  five  good  miles 
away  from  each  other." 

"  Then  welcome,  good  minstrel,"  said  the 
Bishop, "  music  pleases  me  right  well,  and  if  you 
can  play  up  to  your  prattle,  'twill  indeed  grace 
our  ceremony.  Let  us  have  a  sample  of  your 
wares." 

"  Nay,  I  must  not  put  finger  to  string  until 
the  bride  and  groom  have  come.  Such  a  thing 
would  ill  fortune  both  us  and  them." 

"  Have  it  as  you  will,"  said  the  Bishop,  "  but 
here  comes  the  party  now." 

Then  up  the  lane  to  the  church  came  the  old 
knight,  preceded  by  ten  archers  liveried  in  scar- 
let and  gold.  A  brave  sight  the  archers  made, 
but  their  master  walked  slowly  leaning  upon  a 
cane  and  shaking  as  though  in  a  palsy. 

And  after  them  came  a  sweet  lass  leaning  upon 
her  brother's  arm.  Her  hair  did  shine  like 
glistering  gold,  and  her  eyes  were  like  blue 
violets  that  peep  out  shyly  at  the  sun.  The 
color  came  and  went  in  her  cheeks  like  the  tint- 


1O2  Storiejs  of  Robin  Hood 

ing  of  a  sea-sheli,  and  her  face  was  flushed  as 
vhough  .she.  had  been  weeping.  But  now  she 
walked  with  a  proud  air,  as  though  she  defied 
the  world  to  crush  her  spirit.  She  had  but  two 
maids  with  her,  finikin  lasses,  with  black  eyes 
and  broad  bosoms,  who  set  off  their  lady's  more 
delicate  beauty  well.  One  held  up  the  bride's 
gown  from  the  ground ;  the  other  carried  flowers 
in  plenty. 

"  Now  by  all  the  wedding  bells  that  ever  were 
rung  !  "  quoth  Robin  boldly,  "  this  is  the  worst 
matched  pair  that  ever  mine  eyes  beheld  !  " 

"  Silence,  miscreant !  "  said  a  man  who  stood 
near. 

The  Bishop  had  hurriedly  donned  his  gown 
and  now  stood  ready  to  meet  the  couple  at  the 
chancel. 

But  Robin  paid  no  heed  to  him.  He  let  the 
knight  and  his  ten  archers  pass  by,  then  he 
strode  up  to  the  bride,  and  placed  himself  on  the 
other  side  from  her  brother. 

"  Courage,  lady ! "  he  whispered,  "  there  is 
another  minstrel  near,  who  mayhap  may  play 
more  to  your  liking." 

The  lady  glanced  at  him  with  a  frightened  air, 
but  read  such  honesty  and  kindness  in  his  glance 
that  she  brightened  and  gave  him  a  grateful  look. 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  103 

"  Stand  aside,  fool ! "  cried  the  brother  wrath- 
fully. 

"  Nay,  but  I  am  to  bring  good  fortune  to  the 
bride  by  accompanying  her  through  the  church- 
doors,"  said  Robin  laughing. 

Thereupon  he  was  allowed  to  walk  by  her  side 
unmolested,  up  to  the  chancel  with  the  party. 

"  Now  strike  up  your  music,  fellow !  "  ordered 
the  Bishop. 

"  Right  gladly  will  I,"  quoth  Robin,  "  an  you 
will  let  me  choose  my  instrument.  For  some- 
times I  like  the  harp,  and  other  times  I  think 
the  horn  makes  the  merriest  music  in  all  the 
world." 

And  he  drew  forth  his  bugle  from  underneath 
his  green  cloak  and  blew  three  winding  notes 
that  made  the  church-rafters  ring  again. 

"  Seize  him  !  "  yelled  the  Bishop ;  "  there's 
mischief  afoot !  These  are  the  tricks  of  Robin 
Hood !  " 

The  ten  liveried  archers  rushed  forward  from 
the  rear  of  the  church,  where  they  had  been 
stationed.  But  their  rush  was  blocked  by  the 
onlookers  who  now  rose  from  their  pews  in 
alarm  and  crowded  the  aisles.  Meanwhile 
Robin  had  leaped  lightly  over  the  chancel  rail 
and  stationed  himself  in  a  nook  by  the  altar. 


104  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Stand  where  you  are!"  he  shouted,  drawing 
his  bow,  "  the  first  man  to  pass  the  rail  dies  the 
death.  And  all  ye  who  have  come  to  witness  a 
wedding  stay  in  your  seats.  We  shall  e'en  have 
one,  since  we  are  come  into  a  church.  But  the 
bride  shall  choose  her  own  swain  !" 

Then  up  rose  another  great  commotion  at  the 
door,  and  four-and-twenty  good  bowmen  came 
marching  in  with  Will  Stutely  at  their  head. 
And  they  seized  the  ten  liveried  archers  and 
the  bride's  scowling  brother  and  the  other  men 
on  guard  and  bound  them  prisoners. 

Then  in  came  Allan-a-Dale,  decked  out  gayly, 
with  Will  Scarlet  for  best  man.  And  they  walked 
gravely  down  the  aisle  and  stood  over  against 
the  chancel. 

"  Before  a  maiden  weds  she  chooses — an  the 
laws  of  good  King  Harry  be  just  ones,"  said 
Robin.  "  Now,  maiden,  before  this  wedding 
continues,  whom  will  you  have  to  husband  ?  " 

The  maiden  answered  not  in  words,  but 
smiled  with  a  glad  light  in  her  eyes,  and  walked 
over  to  Allan  and  clasped  her  arms  about  his 
neck. 

"  That  is  her  true  love,"  said  Robin.  "  Young 
Allan  instead  of  the  gouty  knight.  And  the 
true  lovers  shall  be  married  at  this  time  before 


Allan-a-Dale's  Wooing  105 

we  depart  away.  Now  my  lord  Bishop,  proceed 
with  the  ceremony  !  " 

"  Nay,  that  shall  not  be,"  protested  the  Bishop  ; 
"  the  bans  must  be  cried  three  times  in  the 
church.  Such  is  the  law  of  our  land." 

"  Come  here,  Little  John,"  called  Robin  im- 
patiently ;  and  he  plucked  off  the  Bishop's  frock 
from  his  back  and  put  it  on  the  yeomen. 

Now  the  Bishop  was  short  and  fat,  and  Little 
John  was  long  and  lean.  The  gown  hung 
loosely  over  Little  John's  shoulders  and  came 
only  to  his  waist.  He  was  a  fine  comical  sight, 
and  the  people  began  to  laugh  consumedly  at 
him. 

"  By  the  faith  o'  my  body,"  said  Robin,  "  this 
cloth  makes  you  a  man.  You're  the  finest 
Bishop  that  ever  I  saw  in  my  life.  Now  cry  the 
bans." 

So  Little  John  clambered  awkwardly  into  the 
quire,  his  short  gown  fluttering  gayly ;  and  he 
called  the  bans  for  the  marriage  of  the  maid  and 
Allan-a-Dale  once,  twice,  and  thrice. 

"  That's  not  enough,"  said  Robin ;  "  your 
gown  is  so  short  that  you  must  talk  longer." 

Then  Little  John  asked  them  in  the  church 
four,  five,  six,  and  seven  times. 

"  Good  enough  !  "  said  Robin.     "  Now  belike 


1 06  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

I  see  a  worthy  friar  in  the  back  of  this  church 
who  can  say  a  better  service  than  ever  my  lord 
Bishop  of  Hereford.  My  lord  Bishop  shall  be 
witness  and  seal  the  papers,  but  do  you,  good 
friar,  bless  this  pair  with  book  and  candle." 

So  Friar  Tuck,  who  all  along  had  been  back 
in  one  corner  of  the  church,  came  forward ;  and 
Allan  and  his  maid  kneeled  before  him,  while 
the  old  knight,  held  an  unwilling  witness,  gnashed 
his  teeth  in  impotent  rage ;  and  the  friar  began 
with  the  ceremony. 

When  he  asked,  "  Who  giveth  this  woman  ?  " 
Robin  stepped  up  and  answered  in  a  clear  voice : 

"I  do !  I,  Robin  Hood  of  Barnesdale  and 
Sherwood  !  And  he  who  takes  her  from  Allan- 
a-Dale  shall  buy  her  full  dearly." 

So  the  twain  were  declared  man  and  wife  and 
duly  blessed ;  and  the  bride  was  kissed  by  each 
sturdy  yeoman  beginning  with  Robin  Hood. 

Now  I  cannot  end  this  jolly  tale  better  than 
in  the  words  of  the  ballad  which  came  out  of 
the  happening  and  which  has  been  sung  in  the 
villages  and  countryside  ever  since  : 

"  And  thus  having  end  of  this  merry  wedding, 

The  bride  lookt  like  a  queen ; 
And  so  they  returned  to  the  merry  greenwood, 
Amongst  the  leaves  so  green." 


CHAPTER  IX 

HOW   THE   WIDOW'S   THREE    SONS    WERE 
RESCUED 

Now  Robin  Hood  is  to  Nottingham  gone, 

With  a  link  a  down  and  a  down, 
And  there  he  met  with  the  proud  Sheriff, 

Was  walking  along  the  town. 

THE  wedding-party  was  a  merry  one  that 
left  Plympton  Church,  I  ween  ;  but  not  so 
merry  were  the  ones  left  behind.  My 
lord  Bishop  of  Hereford  was  stuck  up  in  the  or- 
gan-loft and  left,  gownless  and  fuming.  The  ten 
liveried  archers  were  variously  disposed  about  the 
church  to  keep  him  company ;  two  of  them  be- 
ing locked  in  a  tiny  crypt,  three  in  the  belfry, 
"  to  ring  us  a  wedding  peal,"  as  Robin  said ;  and 
the  others  under  quire  seats  or  in  the  vestry. 
The  bride's  brother  at  her  entreaty  was  released, 
but  bidden  not  to  return  to  the  church  that  day 
or  interfere  with  his  sister  again  on  pain  of  death. 
While  the  rusty  old  knight  was  forced  to  climb  a 
high  tree,  where  he  sat  insecurely  perched  among 

107 


108  Stones  of  Robin  Hood 

the  branches,  feebly  cursing  the  party  as  it  de- 
parted. 

It  was  then  approaching  sundown,  but  none  of 
the  retainers  or  villagers  dared  rescue  the  im- 
prisoned ones  that  night,  for  fear  of  Robin  Hood's 
men.  So  it  was  not  until  sunup  the  next  day, 
that  they  were  released.  The  Bishop  and  the  old 
knight,  stiff  as  they  were,  did  not  delay  longer 
than  for  breakfast,  but — so  great  was  their  rage 
and  shame — made  straight  to  Nottingham  and 
levied  the  Sheriff's  forces.  The  Sheriff  himself 
was  not  anxious  to  try  conclusions  again  with 
Robin  in  the  open.  Perhaps  he  had  some  slight 
scruples  regarding  his  oath.  But  the  others  swore 
that  they  would  go  straight  to  the  King,  if  he  did 
not  help  them,  so  he  was  fain  to  consent. 

A  force  of  an  hundred  picked  men  from  the 
Royal  Foresters  and  swordsmen  of  the  shire  was 
gathered  together  and  marched  straightway  into 
the  greenwood.  There,  as  fortune  would  have  it, 
they  surprised  some  score  of  outlaws  hunting, 
and  instantly  gave  chase.  But  they  could  not 
surround  the  outlaws,  who  kept  well  in  the  lead, 
ever  and  anon  dropping  behind  a  log  or  boulder 
to  speed  back  a  shaft  which  meant  mischief  to 
the  pursuers.  One  shaft  indeed  carried  off  the 
Sheriff's  hat  and  caused  that  worthy  man  to  fall 


The  Widow's  Three  Sons  109 

forward  upon  his  horse's  neck  from  sheer  terror ; 
while  five  other  arrows  landed  in  the  fleshy  parts 
of  Foresters'  arms. 

But  the  attacking  party  was  not  wholly  unsuc- 
cessful. One  outlaw  in  his  flight  stumbled  and 
fell ;  when  two  others  instantly  stopped  and  helped 
to  put  him  on  his  feet  again.  They  were  the 
widow's  three  sons,  Stout  Will,  and  Lester,  and 
John.  The  pause  was  an  unlucky  one  for  them, 
as  a  party  of  Sheriff's  men  got  above  them  and 
cut  them  off  from  their  fellows.  Swordsmen 
came  up  in  the  rear,  and  they  were  soon  hemmed 
in  on  every  side.  But  they  gave  good  account 
of  themselves,  and  before  they  had  been  over- 
borne by  force  of  numbers  they  had  killed  two 
and  disabled  three  more. 

The  infuriated  attackers  were  almost  on  the 
point  of  hewing  the  stout  outlaws  to  pieces,  when 
the  Sheriff  cried : 

"  Hold !  Bind  the  villains  !  We  will  follow 
the  law  in  this  and  take  them  to  the  town  jail. 
But  I  promise  ye  the  biggest  public  hanging  that 
has  been  seen  in  this  shire  for  many  changes  of 
the  moon  ! " 

So  they  bound  the  widow's  three  sons  and  car- 
ried them  back  speedily  to  Nottingham. 

Now  Robin  Hood  had  not  chanced  to  be  near 


l  io  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

the  scene  of  the  fight,  or  with  his  men  ;  so  for  a 
time  he  heard  nothing  of  the  happening.  But 
that  evening  while  returning  to  the  camp  he  was 
met  by  the  widow  herself,  who  came  weeping 
along  the  way. 

"  What  news,  what  news,  good  woman  ?  "  said 
Robin  hastily  but  courteously ;  for  he  liked  her 
well. 

"  God  save  ye,  Master  Robin  ! "  said  the  dame 
wildly.  "  God  keep  ye  from  the  fate  that  has 
met  my  three  sons  !  The  Sheriff  has  laid  hands 
on  them  and  they  are  condemned  to  die." 

"  Now,  by  our  Lady  !  that  cuts  me  to  the  heart ! 
Stout  Will,  and  Lester,  and  merry  John !  The 
earliest  friends  I  had  in  the  band,  and  still  among 
the  bravest !  It  must  not  be !  When  is  this 
hanging  set  ?  " 

"  Middle  the  tinker  tells  me  that  it  is  for  to- 
morrow noon,"  replied  the  dame. 

"  By  the  truth  o'  my  body,"  quoth  Robin, 
"  you  could  not  tell  me  in  better  time.  The 
memory  of  the  old  days  when  you  freely  bade 
me  sup  and  dine  would  spur  me  on,  even  if  three 
of  the  bravest  lads  in  all  the  shire  were  not  im- 
periled. Trust  to  me,  good  woman  ! " 

The  old  widow  threw  herself  on  the  ground 
and  embraced  his  knees. 


The  Widow's  Three  Sons  ]  1 1 

"  Tis  dire  danger  I  am  asking  ye  to  face/' 
she  said  weeping;  "  and  yet  I  knew  your  brave, 
true  heart  would  answer  me.  Heaven  help  ye, 
good  Master  Robin,  to  answer  a  poor  widow's 
payers ! " 

Then  Robin  Hood  sped  straightway  to  the 
forest- camp,  where  he  heard  the  details  of  the 
skirmish — how  that  his  men  had  been  out- 
numbered five  to  one,  but  got  off  safely,  as  they 
thought,  until  a  count  of  their  members  had 
shown  the  loss  of  the  widow's  three  sons. 

"  We  must  rescue  them,  my  men ! "  quoth 
Robin,  "  even  from  out  the  shadow  of  the  rope 
itself!" 

Whereupon  the  band  set  to  work  to  devise 
ways  and  means. 

Robin  walked  apart  a  little  way  with  his  head 
leaned  thoughtfully  upon  his  breast — for  he  was 
sore  troubled — when  whom  should  he  meet  but 
an  old  begging  palmer,  one  of  a  devout  order 
which  made  pilgrimages  and  wandered  from 
place  to  place,  supported  by  charity. 

This  old  fellow  walked  boldly  up  to  Robin  and 
asked  alms  of  him ;  since  Robin  had  been  wont 
to  aid  members  of  his  order. 

"  What  news,  what  news,  thou  foolish  old 
man  ?  "  said  Robin,  "  what  news,  I  do  thee  pray  ?  " 


1 1 2  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Three  squires  in  Nottingham  town,"  quoth 
the  palmer,  "  are  condemned  to  die.  Belike  that 
is  greater  news  than  the  shire  has  had  in  some 
Sundays.'1 

Then  Robin's  long-sought  idea  came  to  him  like 
a  flash. 

"  Come,  change  thine  apparel  with  me,  old 
man,"  he  said,  "  and  I'll  give  thee  forty  shillings 
in  good  silver  to  spend  in  beer  or  wine." 

"  O,  thine  apparel  is  good,"  the  palmer  pro- 
tested, "  and  mine  is  ragged  and  torn.  The  holy 
church  teaches  that  thou  should'st  ne'er  laugh  an 
old  man  to  scorn." 

"  I  am  in  simple  earnest,  I  say.  Come, 
change  thine  apparel  with  mine.  Here  are 
twenty  pieces  of  good  broad  gold  to  feast  thy 
brethren  right  royally." 

So  the  palmer  was  persuaded  ;  and  Robin  put 
on  the  old  man's  hat,  which  stood  full  high  in 
the  crown  ;  and  his  cloak,  patched  with  black  and 
blue  and  red,  like  Joseph's  coat  of  many  colors 
in  its  old  age  ;  and  his  breeches,  which  had  been 
sewed  over  with  so  many  patterns  that  the  orig- 
inal was  scarce  discernible  ;  and  his  tattered  hose; 
and  his  shoes,  cobbled  above  and  below.  And 
while  as  he  made  the  change  in  dress  he  made  so 
many  whimsical  comments  also  about  a  man's 


The  Widow's  Three  Sons  113 

pride  and  the  dress  that  makes  a  man,  that  the 
palmer  was  like  to  choke  with  cackling  laughter. 
I  warrant  you,  the  two  were  comical  sights 
when  they  parted  company  that  day.  Nathless, 
Robin's  own  mother  would  not  have  known 
him,  had  she  been  living. 

The  next  morning  the  whole  town  of  Notting- 
ham was  early  astir,  and  as  soon  as  the  gates 
were  open  country-folk  began  to  pour  in ;  for  a 
triple  hanging  was  not  held  there  every  day  in  the 
week,  and  the  bustle  almost  equaled  a  Fair  day. 

Robin  Hood  in  his  palmer's  disguise  was  one 
of  the  first  ones  to  enter  the  gates,  and  he  strolled 
up  and  down  and  around  the  town  as  though  he 
had  never  been  there  before  in  all  his  life.  Pres- 
ently he  came  to  the  market-place,  and  beheld 
thereon  three  gallows  erected. 

"  Who  are  these  builded  for,  my  son  ?  "  asked 
he  of  a  rough  soldier  standing  by. 

"  For  three  of  Robin  Hood's  men,"  answered 
the  other.  "  And  it  were  Robin  himself,  'twould 
be  thrice  as  high  I  warrant  ye.  But  Robin  is  too 
smart  to  get  within  the  Sheriff's  clutches  again/' 

The  palmer  crossed  himself. 

"  They  say  that  he  is  a  bold  fellow,"  he 
whined. 


1 1 4  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Ha ! "  said  the  soldier,  "  he  may  be  bold 
enough  out  behind  stumps  i'  the  forest,  but  the 
open  market-place  is  another  matter." 

"  Who  is  to  hang  these  three  poor  wretches  ?  " 
asked  the  palmer. 

"  That  hath  the  Sheriff  not  decided.  But  here 
he  comes  now  to  answer  his  own  questions.'1 
And  the  soldier  came  to  stiff  attention  as  the 
Sheriff  and  his  body-guard  stalked  pompously  up 
to  inspect  the  gallows. 

"  O,  Heaven  save  you,  worshipful  Sheriff! " 
said  the  palmer.  "  Heaven  protect  you  !  What 
will  you  give  a  silly  old  man  to-day  to  be  your 
hangman  ?  " 

"  Who  are  you,  fellow  ?  "  asked  the  Sheriff 
sharply. 

"  Naught  save  a  poor  old  palmer.  But  I  can 
shrive  their  souls  and  hang  their  bodies  most 
devoutly." 

"  Very  good,"  replied  the  other.  "  The  fee  to- 
day is  thirteen  pence ;  and  I  will  add  thereunto 
some  suits  of  clothing  for  that  ragged  back  of 
yours." 

"God  bless  ye!  "said  the  palmer.  And  he 
went  with  the  soldier  to  the  jail  to  prepare  his 
three  men  for  execution. 

Just  before  the  stroke  of  noon  the  doors  of 


The  Widow's  Three  Sons  115 

the  prison  opened  and  the  procession  of  the  con- 
demned came  forth.  Down  through  the  long 
lines  of  packed  people  they  walked  to  the  market- 
place, the  palmer  in  the  lead,  and  the  widow's 
three  sons  marching  firmly  erect  between 
soldiers. 

At  the  gallows  foot  they  halted.  The  palmer 
whispered  to  them,  as  though  offering  last  words 
of  consolation ;  and  the  three  men,  with  arms 
bound  tightly  behind  their  backs,  ascended  the 
scaffold,  followed  by  their  confessor. 

Then  Robin  stepped  to  the  edge  of  the  scaf- 
fold, while  the  people  grew  still  as  death  ;  for 
they  desired  to  hear  the  last  words  uttered  to 
the  victims.  But  Robin's  voice  did  not  quaver 
forth  weakly,  as  formerly,  and  his  figure  had  stiff- 
ened bolt  upright  beneath  the  black  robe  that 
covered  his  rags. 

"  Hark  ye,  proud  Sheriff! "  he  cried.  "  I  was 
ne'er  a  hangman  in  all  my  life,  nor  do  I  now  in- 
tend to  begin  that  trade.  Accurst  be  he  who 
first  set  the  fashion  of  hanging !  I  have  but 
three  more  words  to  say.  Listen  to  them  !  " 

And  forth  from  his  robe  he  drew  his  horn  and 
blew  three  loud  blasts  thereon.  Then  his  keen 
hunting-knife  flew  forth  and  in  a  trice,  Stout 
Will,  Lester,  and  merry  John  were  free  men  and 


i  16  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

had  sprung  forward  and  seized  the  halberds  from 
the  nearest  soldiers  guarding  the  gallows. 

"  Seize  them  !  Tis  Robin  Hood  !  "  screamed 
the  Sheriff,  "  an  hundred  pounds  if  ye  hold  them, 
dead  or  alive  !  " 

"  I  make  it  two  hundred ! "  roared  the  fat 
Bishop. 

But  their  voices  were  drowned  in  the  uproar 
that  ensued  immediately  after  Robin  blew  his 
horn.  He  himself  had  drawn  his  sword  and 
leaped  down  the  stairs  from  the  scaffold,  followed 
by  his  three  men.  The  guard  had  closed  around 
them  in  vain  effort  to  disarm  them,  when  "  A 
rescue !  "  shouted  Will  Stutely's  clear  voice  on 
one  side  of  them,  and  "  A  rescue  ! "  bellowed  Lit- 
tle John's  on  the  other ;  and  down  through  the 
terror-stricken  crowd  rushed  fourscore  men  in 
Lincoln  green,  their  force  seeming  twice  that 
number  in  the  confusion.  With  swords  drawn 
they  fell  upon  the  guard  from  every  side  at  once. 
There  was  a  brief  clash  of  hot  weapons,  then  the 
guard  scattered  wildly,  and  Robin  Hood's  men 
formed  in  a  compact  mass  around  their  leader 
and  forced  their  way  slowly  down  the  market- 
place. 

"  Seize  them  !  In  the  King's  name  !  "  shrieked 
the  Sheriff.  "  Close  the  gates  !  " 


The  Widow's  Three  Sons  117 

In  truth,  the  peril  would  have  been  even 
greater,  had  this  last  order  been  carried  out. 
But  Will  Scarlet  and  Allan-a-Dale  had  foreseen 
that  event,  and  had  already  overpowered  the  two 
warders.  So  the  gates  stood  wide  open,  and 
toward  them  the  band  of  outlaws  headed. 

The  soldiers  rallied  a  force  of  twice  their  num- 
ber and  tried  resolutely  to  pierce  their  centre. 
But  the  retreating  force  turned  thrice  and  sent 
such  volleys  of  keen  arrows  from  their  good  yew 
bows,  that  they  kept  a  distance  between  the  two 
forces. 

And  thus  the  gate  was  reached,  and  the  long 
road  leading  up  the  hill,  and  at  last  the  protecting 
greenwood  itself.  The  soldiers  dared  come  no 
farther.  And  the  widow's  three  sons,  I  warrant 
you,  supped  more  heartily  that  night  than  ever 
before  in  their  whole  lives. 


CHAPTER  X 
HOW  A  BEGGAR   FILLED  THE  PUBLIC  EYE 

Good  Robin  accost  him  in  his  way, 

To  see  what  he  might  be ; 
If  any  beggar  had  money, 

He  thought  some  part  had  he. 

ONE  bright  morning,  soon  after  the  stir- 
ring events  told  in  the  last  chapter, 
Robin  wandered  forth  alone  down  the 
road  to  Barnesdale,  to  see  if  aught  had  come  of 
the  Sheriff's  pursuit.  But  all  was  still  and  serene 
and  peaceful.  No  one  was  in  sight  save  a  soli- 
tary beggar  who  came  sturdily  along  his  way  in 
Robin's  direction.  The  beggar  caught  sight  of 
Robin,  at  the  same  moment,  as  he  emerged  from 
the  trees,  but  gave  no  sign  of  having  seen  him. 
He  neither  slackened  nor  quickened  his  pace, 
but  jogged  forward  merrily,  whistling  as  he  came, 
and  beating  time  by  punching  holes  in  the  dusty 
road  with  the  stout  pike-staff  in  his  hand. 

The  curious  look  of  the  fellow  arrested  Robin's 
attention,  and  he  decided  to  stop  and  talk  with 
118 


How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye    1 1 9 

him.  The  fellow  was  bare-legged  and  bare- 
armed,  and  wore  a  long  shift  of  a  shirt,  fastened 
with  a  belt.  About  his  neck  hung  a  stout,  bulg- 
ing bag,  which  was  buckled  by  a  good  piece  of 
leather  thong. 

He  had  three  hats  upon  his  head, 

Together  sticked  fast ; 
He  cared  neither  for  the  wind  nor  wet, 

In  lands  where'er  he  past. 

The  fellow  looked  so  fat  and  hearty,  and  the 
wallet  on  his  shoulder  seemed  so  well  filled,  that 
Robin  thought  within  himself, 

"  Ha  !  this  is  a  lucky  beggar  for  me !  If  any 
of  them  have  money,  this  is  the  chap,  and,  marry, 
he  should  share  it  with  us  poorer  bodies/' 

So  he  flourished  his  own  stick  and  planted  him- 
self in  the  traveler's  path. 

"  Sirrah,  fellow  !  "  quoth  he ;  "  whither  away  so 
fast  ?  Tarry,  for  I  would  have  speech  with  ye  !  " 

The  beggar  made  as  though  he  heard  him  not, 
and  kept  straight  on  with  his  faring. 

"  Tarry,  I  say,  fellow  !  "  said  Robin  again  ;  "  for 
there's  a  way  to  make  folks  obey  !  " 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  so,"  answered  the  beggar,  speak- 
ing for  the  first  time  ;  "  I  obey  no  man  in  all 
England,  not  even  the  King  himself.  So  let  me 


j  20  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

pass  on  my  way,  for  'tis  growing  late,  and  I  have 
still  far  to  go  before  I  can  care  for  my  stomach'* 
good." 

"  Now,  by  my  troth,"  said  Robin,  once  more 
getting  in  front  of  the  other,  "  I  see  well  by  your 
fat  countenance,  that  you  lack  not  for  good  food, 
while  I  go  hungry.  Therefore  you  must  lend 
me  of  your  means  till  we  meet  again,  so  that  I 
may  hie  to  the  nearest  tavern." 

"  I  have  no  money  to  lend,"  said  the  beggar 
crossly.  "  Methinks  you  are  as  young  a  man  as 
I,  and  as  well  able  to  earn  a  supper.  So  go  your 
way,  and  I'll  go  mine.  If  you  fast  till  you  get 
aught  out  of  me,  you'll  go  hungry  for  the  next 
twelvemonth." 

"  Not  while  I  have  a  stout  stick  to  thwack 
your  saucy  bones !  "  cried  Robin.  "  Stand  and 
deliver,  I  say,  or  I'll  dust  your  shirt  for  you  ;  and 
if  that  will  not  teach  you  manners,  then  we'll  see 
what  a  broad  arrow  can  do  with  a  beggar's 
skin !  " 

The  beggar  smiled,  and  answered  boast  with 
boast.  "  Come  on  with  your  staff,  fellow ! 
I  care  no  more  for  it  than  for  a  pudding  stick. 
And  as  for  your  pretty  bow — that  for  it !  " 

And  with  amazing  quickness,  he  swung  his 
pike-staff  around  and  knocked  Robin's  bow  clean 


How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye     121 

out  of  his  hand,  so  that  his  fingers  smarted  with 
pain.  Robin  danced  and  tried  to  bring  his  own 
staff  into  action ;  but  the  beggar  never  gave  him 
a  chance.  Biff!  whack!  came  the  pike-staff, 
smiting  him  soundly  and  beating  down  his 
guard. 

There  were  but  two  things  to  do  ;  either  stand 
there  and  take  a  sound  drubbing,  or  beat  a  hasty 
retreat.  Robin  chose  the  latter — as  you  or  I 
would  probably  have  done — and  scurried  back 
into  the  wood,  blowing  his  horn  as  he  went. 

"  Fie,  for  shame,  man  !  "  jeered  the  bold  beg- 
gar after  him.  "  What  is  your  haste  ?  We  had 
but  just  begun.  Stay  and  take  your  money,  else 
you  will  never  be  able  to  pay  your  reckoning  at 
the  tavern !  " 

But  Robin  answered  him  never  a  word.  He 
fled  up  hill  and  down  dale  till  he  met  three  of  his 
men  who  were  running  up  in  answer  to  his  sum- 
mons. 

"  What  is  wrong  ?  "  they  asked, 

"  'Tis  a  saucy  beggar,"  said  Robin,  catching 
his  breath.  "  He  is  back  there  on  the  highroad 
with  the  hardest  stick  I've  met  in  a  good  many 
days.  He  gave  me  no  chance  to  reason  with  him, 
the  dirty  scamp  !  " 

The  men — Much  and  two  of  the  widow's  sons 


i  22  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

— could  scarce  conceal  their  mirth  at  the  thought 
of  Robin  Hood  running  from  a  beggar.  Nath- 
less,  they  kept  grave  faces,  and  asked  their  leader 
if  he  was  hurt. 

"  Nay,"  he  replied,  "  but  I  shall  speedily  feel 
better  if  you  will  fetch  me  that  same  beggar  and 
let  me  have  a  fair  chance  at  him." 

So  the  three  yeomen  made  haste  and  came  out 
upon  the  highroad  and  followed  after  the  beggar, 
who  was  going  smoothly  along  his  way  again, 
as  though  he  were  at  peace  with  all  the  world. 

"  The  easiest  way  to  settle  this  beggar,"  said 
Much,  "  is  to  surprise  him.  Let  us  cut  through 
yon  neck  of  woods  and  come  upon  him  before  he 
is  aware." 

The  others  agreed  to  this,  and  the  three  were 
soon  close  upon  their  prey. 

"  Now !  "  quoth  Much ;  and  the  other  two 
sprang  quickly  upon  the  beggar's  back  and 
wrested  his  pike-staff  from  his  hand.  At  the 
same  moment  Much  drew  his  dagger  and  flashed 
it  before  the  fellow's  breast. 

"  Yield  you,  my  man  !  "  cried  he ;  "  for  a  friend 
of  ours  awaits  you  in  the  wood,  to  teach  you  how 
to  fight  properly." 

"  Give  me  a  fair  chance,"  said  the  beggar 
valiantly,  "  and  I'll  fight  you  all  at  once." 


How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye    123 

But  they  would  not  listen  to  him.  Instead, 
they  turned  him  about  and  began  to  march  him 
toward  the  forest.  Seeing  that  it  was  useless  to 
struggle,  the  beggar  began  to  parley. 

"  Good  my  masters/'  quoth  he,  "  why  use  this 
violence  ?  I  will  go  with  ye  safe  and  quietly,  if  ye 
insist,  but  if  ye  will  set  me  free  I'll  make  it  worth 
your  while.  I've  a  hundred  pounds  in  my  bag 
here.  Let  me  go  my  way,  and  ye  shall  have  all 
that's  in  the  bag." 

The  three  outlaws  took  council  together  at  this. 

"  What  say  you  ?  "  asked  Much  of  the  others. 
"  Our  master  will  be  more  glad  to  see  this  beg- 
gar's wallet  than  his  sorry  face." 

The  other  two  agreed,  and  the  little  party 
came  to  a  halt  and  loosed  hold  of  the  beggar. 

"  Count  out  your  gold  speedily,  friend,"  said 
Much. 

There  was  a  brisk  wind  blowing,  and  the  beg- 
gar turned  about  to  face  it,  directly  they  had 
unhanded  him. 

"  It  shall  be  done,  gossips,"  said  he.  "  One  of 
you  lend  me  your  cloak  and  we  will  spread  it 
upon  the  ground  and  put  the  wealth  upon  it." 

The  cloak  was  handed  him,  and  he  placed  his 
wallet  upon  it  as  though  it  were  very  heavy  in- 
deed. Then  he  crouched  down  and  fumbled  with 


1 24  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

the  leather  fastenings.  The  outlaws  also  bent 
over  and  watched  the  proceeding  closely,  lest  he 
should  hide  some  of  the  money  on  his  person. 
Presently  he  got  the  bag  unfastened  and  plunged 
his  hands  into  it.  Forth  from  it  he  drew — not 
shining  gold — but  handfuls  of  fine  meal  which  he 
dashed  into  the  eager  faces  of  the  men  around 
him.  The  wind  aided  him  in  this,  and  soon  there 
arose  a  blinding  cloud  which  filled  the  eyes, 
noses,  and  mouths  of  the  three  outlaws  till  they 
could  scarcely  see  or  breathe. 

While  they  gasped  and  choked  and  sputtered 
and  felt  around  wildly  for  that  rogue  of  a  beggar, 
he  finished  the  job  by  picking  up  the  cloak  by 
its  corners  and  shaking  it  vigorously  in  the  faces 
of  his  suffering  victims.  Then  he  seized  a  stick 
which  lay  conveniently  near,  and  began  to  rain 
blows  down  upon  their  heads,  shoulders,  and 
sides,  all  the  time  dancing  first  on  one  leg,  then 
on  the  other,  and  crying, 

"  Villains !  rascals !  here  are  the  hundred 
pounds  I  promised.  How  do  you  like  them  ? 
I'  faith,  you'll  get  all  that's  in  the  bag." 

Whack !  whack  !  whack  !  whack  !  went  the 
stick,  emphasizing  each  word.  Howls  of  pain 
might  have  gone  up  from  the  sufferers,  but  they 
had  too  much  meal  in  their  throats  for  that. 


How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye    125 

Their  one  thought  was  to  flee,  and  they  stumbled 
off  blindly  down  the  road,  the  beggar  following 
them  a  little  way  to  give  them  a  few  parting  love- 
taps. 

"  Fare  ye  well,  my  masters,"  he  said  finally 
turning  the  other  way ;  "  and  when  next  I  come 
along  the  Barnesdale  road,  I  hope  you  will  be 
able  to  tell  gold  from  meal  dust !  " 

With  this  he  departed,  an  easy  victor,  and 
again  went  whistling  on  his  way,  while  the  three 
outlaws  rubbed  the  meal  out  of  their  eyes  and 
began  to  catch  their  breath  again. 

As  soon  as  they  could  look  around  them 
clearly,  they  beheld  Robin  Hood  leaning  against 
a  tree  trunk  and  surveying  them  smilingly.  He 
had  recovered  his  own  spirits  in  full  measure,  on 
seeing  their  plight. 

"  God  save  ye,  gossips  !  "  he  said,  "  ye  must,  in 
sooth,  have  gone  the  wrong  way  and  been  to  the 
mill,  from  the  looks  of  your  clothes." 

Then  when  they  looked  shamefaced  and 
answered  never  a  word,  he  went  on,  in  a  soft 
voice, 

"  Did  ye  see  aught  of  that  bold  beggar,  I  sent 
you  for,  lately  ?  " 

"  In  sooth,  master,"  responded  Much  the 
miller's  son,  "  we  heard  more  of  him  than  we  saw 


1 26  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

him.  He  filled  us  so  full  of  meal  that  I  shall 
sweat  meal  for  a  week.  I  was  born  in  a  mill,  and 
had  the  smell  of  meal  in  my  nostrils  from  my 
very  birth,  you  might  say,  and  yet  never  before 
did  I  see  such  a  quantity  of  the  stuff  in  so  small 
space." 

And  he  sneezed  violently. 

"  How  was  that?"  asked  Robin  demurely. 

"  Why  we  laid  hold  of  the  beggar,  as  you  did 
order,  when  he  offered  to  pay  for  his  release  out 
of  the  bag  he  carried  upon  his  back." 

"  The  same  I  coveted,"  quoth  Robin  as  if  to 
himself. 

"  So  we  agreed  to  this,"  went  on  Much,  "  and 
spread  a  cloak  down,  and  he  opened  his  bag  and 
shook  it  thereon.  Instantly  a  great  cloud  of  meal 
filled  the  air,  whereby  we  could  neither  see  nor 
breathe ;  and  in  the  midst  of  this  cloud  he  van- 
ished like  a  wizard." 

"  But  not  before  he  left  certain  black  and  blue 
spots,  to  be  remembered  by,  I  see,"  commented 
Robin. 

"  He  was  in  league  with  the  evil  one,"  said  one 
of  the  widow's  sons,  rubbing  himself  ruefully. 

Then  Robin  laughed  outright,  and  sat  him 
down  upon  the  gnarled  root  of  a  tree,  to  finish 
his  merriment. 


How  a  Beggar  Filled  the  Public  Eye    127 

"  Four  bold  outlaws,  put  to  rout  by  a  sorry 
beggar ! "  cried  he.  "  I  can  laugh  at  ye  my  men, 
for  I  am  in  the  same  boat  with  ye.  But  'twould 
never  do  to  have  this  tale  get  abroad — even  in  the 
greenwood — how  that  we  could  not  hold  our  own 
with  the  odds  in  our  favor.  So  let  us  have  this 
little  laugh  all  to  ourselves,  and  no  one  else  need 
be  the  wiser !  " 

The  others  saw  the  point  of  this,  and  felt  better 
directly,  despite  their  itching  desire  to  get  hold 
of  the  beggar  again.  And  none  of  the  four  ever 
told  of  the  adventure. 

But  the  beggar  must  have  boasted  of  it  at  the 
next  tavern ;  or  a  little  bird  perched  among  the 
branches  of  a  neighboring  oak  must  have  sung 
of  it.  For  it  got  abroad,  as  such  tales  will,  and 
was  put  into  a  right  droll  ballad  which,  I  warrant 
you,  the  four  outlaws  did  not  like  to  hear. 


CHAPTER  XI 

HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  FOUGHT  GUY  OF 
GISBORNE 

"  I  dwell  by  dale  and  down,"  quoth  he, 

"  And  Robin  to  take  I'm  sworn ; 
And  when  I  am  called  by  my  right  name, 
I  am  Guy  of  good  Gisborne." 

SOME  weeks  passed  after  the  rescue  of  the 
widow's  three  sons ;  weeks  spent  by  the 
Sheriff  in  the  vain  effort  to  entrap  Robin 
Hood  and  his  men.  For  Robin's  name  and  deeds 
had  come  to  the  King's  ears,  in  London  town, 
and  he  sent  word  to  the  Sheriff  to  capture  the 
outlaw,  under  penalty  of  losing  his  office.  So 
the  Sheriff  tried  every  manner  of  means  to  sur- 
prise Robin  Hood  in  the  forest,  but  always  with- 
out success.  And  he  increased  the  price  put 
upon  Robin's  head,  in  the  hope  that  the  best  men 
of  the  kingdom  could  be  induced  to  try  their 
skill  at  a  capture. 

Now  there  was  a  certain  Guy  of  Gisborne,  a 
hireling  knight  of  the  King's  army,  who  heard 
128 


Guy  of  Gisborne  129 

of  Robin  and  of  the  price  upon  his  head.  Sir 
Guy  was  one  of  the  best  men  at  the  bow  and  the 
sword  in  all  the  King's  service.  But  his  heart 
was  black  and  treacherous.  He  obtained  the 
King's  leave  forthwith  to  seek  out  the  forester ; 
and  armed  with  the  King's  scroll  he  came  before 
the  Sheriff  at  Nottingham. 

"  I  have  come  to  capture  Robin  Hood,"  quoth 
he,  "  and  mean  to  have  him,  dead  or  alive." 

"  Right  gladly  would  I  aid  you,"  answered  the 
Sheriff,  "  even  if  the  King's  seal  were  not  suf- 
ficient warrant.  How  many  men  need  you  ?  " 

"  None,"  replied  Sir  Guy,  "  for  I  am  convinced 
that  forces  of  men  can  never  come  at  the  bold 
robber.  I  must  needs  go  alone.  But  do  you 
hold  your  men  in  readiness  at  Barnesdale,  and 
when  you  hear  a  blast  from  this  silver  bugle, 
come  quickly,  for  I  shall  have  the  sly  Robin 
within  my  clutches." 

"  Very  good,"  said  the  Sheriff.  "  Marry,  it 
shall  be  done."  And  he  set  about  giving  orders, 
while  Guy  of  Gisborne  sallied  forth  disguised. 

Now  as  luck  would  have  it,  Will  Scarlet  and 
Little  John  had  gone  to  Barnesdale  that  very  day 
to  buy  suits  of  Lincoln  green  for  certain  of  the 
yeomen  who  had  come  out  at  the  knees  and 
elbows.  But  not  deeming  it  best  for  both  of 


130  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

them  to  run  their  necks  into  a  noose,  together, 
they  parted  just  outside  the  town,  and  Will  went 
within  the  gates,  while  John  tarried  and  watched 
at  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  the  outside. 

Presently  whom  should  he  see  but  this  same 
Will  flying  madly  forth  from  the  gates  again, 
closely  pursued  by  the  Sheriff  and  threescore 
men.  Over  the  moat  Will  sprang,  through  the 
bushes  and  briars,  across  the  swamp,  over  stocks 
and  stones,  up  the  woodland  roads  in  long  leaps 
like  a  scared  jack  rabbit.  And  after  him  puffed 
the  Sheriff  and  his  men,  their  force  scattering  out 
in  the  flight  as  one  man  would  tumble  head- 
first into  a  ditch,  another  mire  up  in  the  swamp, 
another  trip  over  a  rolling  stone,  and  still  others 
sit  down  on  the  roadside  and  gasp  for  wind  like 
fish  out  of  water. 

Little  John  could  not  forbear  laughing  heartily 
at  the  scene,  though  he  knew  that  'twould  be 
anything  but  a  laughing  matter  if  Will  should 
stumble.  And  in  truth  one  man  was  like  to 
come  upon  him.  It  was  William-a-Trent,  the 
best  runner  among  the  Sheriff's  men.  He  had 
come  within  twenty  feet  of  Scarlet  and  was  leap- 
ing upon  him  with  long  bounds  like  a  greyhound, 
when  John  rose  up  quickly,  drew  his  bow  and 
let  fly  one  of  his  fatal  shafts.  It  would  have  been 


Guy  of  Gisborne  1 3 1 

better  for  William-a-Trent  to  have  been  abed 
with  sorrow — says  the  ballad — than  to  be  that 
day  in  the  greenwood  slade  to  meet  with  Little 
John's  arrow.  He  had  run  his  last  race. 

The  others  halted  a  moment  in  consternation, 
when  the  shaft  came  hurtling  down  from  the  hill ; 
but  looking  up  they  beheld  none  save  Little  John, 
and  with  a  cry  of  fierce  joy  they  turned  upon 
him.  Meanwhile  Will  Scarlet  had  reached  the 
brow  of  the  hill  and  sped  down  the  other  side. 

"  I'll  just  send  one  more  little  message  of  re- 
gret to  the  Sheriff,"  said  Little  John,  "  before  I 
join  Will." 

But  this  foolhardy  deed  was  his  undoing,  for 
just  as  the  arrow  left  the  string,  the  good  yew 
bow  that  had  never  before  failed  him  snapped  in 
twain. 

"  Woe  worth,  woe  worth  thee,  wicked  wood, 
that  ere  thou  grew  on  a  tree  ! "  cursed  Little 
John,  and  planted  his  feet  resolutely  in  the  earth 
resolved  to  sell  the  path  dearly ;  for  the  soldiers 
were  now  so  close  upon  him  that  he  dared  not 
turn. 

And  a  right  good  account  of  himself  he  gave 
that  day,  dealing  with  each  man  as  he  came  up 
according  to  his  merit.  And  so  winded  were  the 
pursuers  when  they  reached  the  top  of  the  hill 


132  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

that  he  laid  out  the  first  ten  of  them  right  and 
left  with  huge  blows  of  his  brawny  fist. 

But  if  five  men  can  do  more  than  three,  a  score 
can  overcome  one.  A  body  of  archers  stood  off 
at  a  prudent  distance  and  covered  Little  John 
with  their  arrows. 

"  Now  yield  you  !  "  panted  the  Sheriff.  "  Yield 
you,  Little  John,  or  Reynold  Greenleaf,  or  what- 
ever else  name  you  carry  this  day  !  Yield  you, 
or  some  few  of  these  shafts  will  reach  your 
heart ! " 

"  Marry,  my  heart  has  been  touched  by  your 
words  ere  now,"  said  Little  John;  "  and  I  yield 
me." 

So  the  Sheriff's  men  laid  hold  of  Little  John 
and  bound  him  fast  with  many  cords,  so  fearful 
were  they  lest  he  should  escape.  And  the  Sheriff 
laughed  aloud  in  glee,  and  thought  of  how  he 
should  avenge  his  stolen  plate,  and  determined  to 
make  a  good  day's  work  of  it. 

"  By  the  Saints  !  "  he  said,  "  you  shall  be  drawn 
by  dale  and  down,  and  hanged  high  on  a  hill  in 
Barnesdale  this  very  day." 

"  Hang  and  be  hanged  !  "  retorted  the  prisoner. 
"  You  may  fail  of  your  purpose  if  it  be  Heaven's 
will." 

Back  down  the  hill  and  across  the  moor  went 


Guy  of  Gisborne  133 

the  company  speedily,  for  they  feared  a  rescue. 
And  as  they  went  the  stragglers  joined  them. 
Here  a  man  got  up  feebly  out  of  the  ditch  and 
rubbed  his  pate  and  fell  in  like  a  chicken  with 
the  pip  going  for  its  dinner.  Yonder  came  hob- 
bling a  man  with  a  lame  ankle,  or  another  with 
his  shins  torn  by  the  briars  or  another  with  his 
jacket  all  muddy  from  the  marsh.  So  in  truth  it 
was  a  tatterdemalion  crew  that  limped  and  strag- 
gled and  wandered  back  into  Barnesdale  that 
day.  Yet  all  were  merry,  for  the  Sheriff  had 
promised  them  flagons  of  wine,  and  moreover 
they  were  to  hang  speedily  the  boldest  outlaw  in 
England,  next  to  Robin  Hood  himself. 

The  gallows  was  quickly  put  up  and  a  new 
rope  provided. 

"  Now  up  with  you  !  "  commanded  the  Sheriff, 
44  and  let  us  see  if  your  greenwood  tricks  will 
avail  you  to-morrow." 

"  I  would  that  I  had  bold  Robin's  horn," 
muttered  poor  John ;  "  methinks  'tis  all  up  with 
me  even  as  the  Sheriff  hath  spoken." 

In  good  sooth  the  time  was  dire  and  pressing. 
The  rope  was  placed  around  the  prisoner's  neck 
and  the  men  prepared  to  haul  away. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  "  called  the  Sheriff.  "  One 
_two " 


134  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

But  before  the  "  three  "  left  his  lips  the  faint 
sound  of  a  silver  bugle  came  floating  over  the 
hill. 

"  By  my  troth,  that  is  Sir  Guy  of  Gisborne's 
horn,"  quoth  the  Sheriff;  "  and  he  bade  me  not 
to  delay  answering  its  summons.  He  has  caught 
Robin  Hood." 

"  Pardon,  Excellency,"  said  one  of  his  men ; 
"  but  if  he  has  caught  Robin  Hood,  this  is  a 
merry  day  indeed.  And  let  us  save  this  fellow 
and  build  another  gallows  and  hang  them  both 
together." 

"  That's  a  brave  thought !  "  said  the  Sheriff 
slapping  his  knee.  "  Take  the  rascal  down  and 
bind  him  fast  to  the  gallows-tree  against  our 
return." 

So  Little  John  was  made  fast  to  the  gallows- 
tree,  while  the  Sheriff  and  all  his  men  who  could 
march  or  hobble  went  out  to  get  Robin  Hood 
and  bring  him  in  for  the  double  hanging. 

Let  us  leave  talking  of  Little  John  and  the 
Sheriff,  and  see  what  has  become  of  Robin 
Hood. 

In  the  first  place,  he  and  Little  John  had 
come  near  having  a  quarrel  that  self-same  morn- 
ing because  both  had  seen  a  curious  looking 


Guy  of  Gisborne 

yeoman,  and  each  wanted  to  challenge  him 
singly.  But  Robin  would  not  give  way  to  his 
lieutenant,  and  that  is  why  John,  in  a  huff,  had 
gone  with  Will  to  Barnesdale. 

Meanwhile  Robin  approached  the  curious 
looking  stranger.  He  seemed  to  be  a  three- 
legged  creature  at  first  sight,  but  on  coming 
nearer  you  would  have  seen  that  'twas  really 
naught  but  a  poorly  clad  man,  who  for  a  freak 
had  covered  up  his  rags  with  a  capul-hide,  noth- 
ing more  nor  less  than  the  sun-dried  skin  of  a 
horse,  complete  with  head,  tail,  and  mane.  The 
skin  of  the  head  made  a  helmet ;  while  the  tail 
gave  the  curious  three-legged  appearance. 

"  Good-morrow,  good  fellow,"  said  Robin 
cheerily,  "  methinks  by  the  bow  you  bear  in  your 
hand  that  you  should  be  a  good  archer." 

"  Indifferent  good,"  said  the  other  returning 
his  greeting ;  "  but  'tis  not  of  archery  that  I  am 
thinking  this  morning,  for  I  have  lost  my  way 
and  would  fain  find  it  again." 

"  By  my  faith,  I  could  have  believed  'twas 
your  wits  you'd  lost !  "  thought  Robin  smiling. 
Then  aloud  :  "  I'll  lead  you  through  the  wood," 
quoth  he,  "  an  you  will  tell  me  your  business. 
For  belike  your  speech  is  much  gentler  than 
your  attire." 


1 36  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

44  Who  are  you  to  ask  me  my  business  ? " 
asked  the  other  roughly. 

"  I  am  one  of  the  King's  Rangers,"  replied 
Robin,  "  set  here  to  guard  his  deer  'gainst  curi- 
ous looking  strollers." 

"  Curious  looking  I  may  be,"  returned  the 
other,  "  but  no  stroller.  Hark  ye,  since  you  are 
a  Ranger,  I  must  e'en  demand  your  service.  I 
am  on  the  King's  business  and  seek  an  outlaw. 
Men  call  him  Robin  Hood.  Are  you  one  of  his 
men  ?  " — eyeing  him  keenly. 

"  Nay,  God  forbid  !  "  said  Robin ;  "  but  what 
want  you  with  him  ?  " 

"  That  is  another  tale.  But  I'd  rather  meet 
with  that  proud  outlaw  than  forty  good  pounds 
of  the  King's  money." 

Robin  now  saw  how  the  land  lay. 

"  Come  with  me,  good  yeoman,"  said  he,  "  and 
belike,  a  little  later  in  the  day,  I  can  show  you 
Robin's  haunts  when  he  is  at  home.  Meanwhile 
let  us  have  some  pastime  under  the  greenwood 
tree.  Let  us  first  try  the  mastery  at  shooting 
arrows." 

The  other  agreed,  and  they  cut  down  two  wil- 
low wands  of  a  summer's  growth  that  grew  be- 
neath a  brier,  and  set  them  up  at  a  distance  of 
threescore  yards. 


Guy  of  Gisborne  137 

"  Lead  on,  good  fellow,"  quoth  Robin.  "  The 
first  shot  to  you." 

"  Nay,  by  my  faith,"  said  the  other,  "  I  will 
follow  your  lead." 

So  Robin  stepped  forth  and  bent  his  bow  care- 
lessly and  sent  his  shaft  whizzing  toward  the 
wand,  missing  it  by  a  scant  inch.  He  of  the 
horse-hide  followed  with  more  care  yet  was  a 
good  three-fingers'  breadth  away. 

On  the  second  round,  the  stranger  led  off  and 
landed  cleverly  within  the  small  garland  at  the 
top  of  the  wand  ;  but  Robin  shot  far  better  and 
clave  the  wand  itself,  clean  at  the  middle. 

"  A  blessing  on  your  heart !  "  shouted  Capul- 
Hide ;  "  never  saw  I  such  shooting  as  that !  Be- 
like you  are  better  than  Robin  Hood  himself. 
But  you  have  not  yet  told  me  your  name." 

"  Nay,  by  my  faith,"  quoth  Robin,  "  I  must 
keep  it  secret  till  you  have  told  me  your  own." 

"  I  do  not  disdain  to  tell  it,"  said  the  other. 
"  I  dwell  by  dale  and  down,  and  to  take  bold 
Robin  am  I  sworn.  This  would  I  tell  him  to  his 
face,  were  he  not  so  great  a  craven.  When  I  am 
called  by  my  right  name,  I  am  Guy  of  Gisborne." 

This  he  said  with  a  great  show  of  pride,  and 
he  strutted  back  and  forth  forgetful  that  he 
had  just  been  beaten  at  archery. 


138  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Robin  eyed  him  quietly.  "  Methinks  I  have 
heard  of  you  elsewhere.  Do  you  not  bring  men 
to  the  gallows  for  a  living  ?  " 

"  Aye,  but  only  outlaws  such  as  Robin  Hood." 

"  But  pray  what  harm  has  Robin  Hood  done 
you  ?  " 

"  He  is  a  highway  robber,"  said  Sir  Guy,  evad- 
ing the  question. 

"  Has  he  ever  taken  from  the  rich  that  he  did 
not  give  again  to  the  poor  ?  Does  he  not  pro- 
tect the  women  and  children  and  side  with  the 
weak  and  helpless  ?  Is  not  his  greatest  crime  the 
shooting  of  a  few  King's  deer  ?  " 

"  Have  done  with  your  sophistry,"  said  Sir 
Guy  impatiently.  "  I  am  more  than  ever  of  opin- 
ion that  you  are  one  of  Robin's  men  yourself." 

"  I  have  told  you  I  am  not,"  quoth  Robin 
briefly.  "  But  if  I  am  to  help  you  catch  him, 
what  is  your  plan?" 

"  Do  you  see  this  silver  bugle  ?  "  said  the  other. 
"  A  long  blast  upon  it  will  summon  the  Sheriff 
and  all  his  men,  when  once  I  have  Robin  within 
my  grasp.  And  if  you  show  him  to  me,  I'll 
give  you  the  half  of  my  forty  pounds  reward." 

"  I  would  not  help  hang  a  man  for  ten  times 
forty  pounds,"  said  the  outlaw.  "  Yet  will  I 
point  out  Robin  to  you  for  the  reward  I  find  at 


Guy  of  Gisborne  139 

my  sword's  point.  I  myself  am  Robin  Hood  of 
Sherwood  and  Barnesdale." 

"  Then  have  at  you  !  "  cried  the  other  springing 
swiftly  into  action.  His  sword  leaped  forth  from 
beneath  the  horse's  hide  with  the  speed  born  of 
long  practice,  and  before  Robin  had  come  to 
guard,  the  other  had  smitten  at  him  full  and  foul. 
Robin  eluded  the  lunge  and  drew  his  own 
weapon. 

"  A  scurvy  trick  !  "  quoth  he  grimly,  "  to  strike 
at  a  man  unprepared." 

Then  neither  spoke  more,  but  fell  sternly  to 
work — lunge  and  thrust  and  ward  and  parry — for 
two  full  hours  the  weapons  smote  together  sul- 
lenly, and  neither  Robin  Hood  nor  Sir  Guy 
would  yield  an  inch.  I  promise  you  that  if  you 
could  have  looked  forth  on  the  fight  from  behind 
the  trunk  of  some  friendly  tree,  you  would  have 
seen  deadly  sport  such  as  few  men  beheld  in 
Sherwood  Forest.  For  the  fighters  glared  sul- 
lenly at  each  other,  the  fires  of  hatred  burning  in 
their  eyes.  One  was  fighting  for  his  life ;  the 
other  for  a  reward  and  the  King's  favor. 

Still  circled  the  bright  blades  swiftly  in  the  air 
— now  gleaming  in  the  peaceful  sunlight — again 
hissing  like  maddened  serpents.  Neither  had 
yet  touched  the  other,  until  Robin,  in  an  unlucky 


140  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

moment,  stumbled  over  the  projecting  root  of  a 
tree ;  when  Sir  Guy,  instead  of  giving  him  the 
chance  to  recover  himself,  as  any  courteous 
knight  would  have  done,  struck  quickly  at  the 
falling  man  and  wounded  him  in  the  left  side. 

"  Ah,  dear  Lady  in  Heaven,"  gasped  Robin, 
uttering  his  favorite  prayer,  "  shield  me  now ! 
'Twas  never  a  man's  destiny  to  die  before  his 
day." 

And  adroitly  he  sprang  up  again,  and  came 
straight  at  the  other  with  an  awkward  but  unex- 
pected stroke.  The  knight  had  raised  his 
weapon  high  to  give  a  final  blow,  when  Robin 
reached  beneath  and  across  his  guard.  One 
swift  lunge,  and  Sir  Guy  of  Gisborne  staggered 
backward  with  a  deep  groan,  Robin's  sword 
through  his  throat. 

Robin  looked  at  the  slain  man  regretfully. 

"  You  did  bring  it  upon  yourself,"  said  he ; 
"  and  traitor  and  hireling  though  you  were,  I 
would  not  willingly  have  killed  you." 

He  looked  to  his  own  wound.  It  was  not  seri- 
ous, and  he  soon  staunched  the  blood  and  bound 
up  the  cut.  Then  he  dragged  the  dead  body  into 
the  bushes,  and  took  off  the  horse's  hide  and  put 
it  upon  himself.  He  placed  his  own  cloak  upon 
Sir  Guy,  and  marked  his  face  so  none  might  tell 


Guy  of  Gisborne  141 

who  had  been  slain.  Robin's  own  figure  and  face 
were  not  unlike  the  other's. 

Pulling  the  capul-hide  well  over  himself,  so 
that  the  helmet  hid  most  of  his  face,  Robin 
seized  the  silver  bugle  and  blew  a  long  blast.  It 
was  the  blast  that  saved  the  life  of  Little  John, 
over  in  Barnesdale,  for  you  and  I  have  already 
seen  how  it  caused  the  fond  Sheriff  to  prick  up 
his  ears  and  stay  the  hanging,  and  go  scurrying 
up  over  the  hill  and  into  the  wood  with  his  men 
in  search  of  another  victim. 

In  five-and-twenty  minutes  up  came  running  a 
score  of  the  Sheriff's  best  archers. 

"  Did  you  signal  us,  lording  ?  "  they  asked,  ap- 
proaching Robin. 

"  Aye,"  said  he,  going  to  meet  the  puffing 
Sheriff. 

"  What  news,  what  news,  Sir  Guy  ?  "  said  that 
officer. 

"  Robin  Hood  and  Guy  of  Gisborne  had  a 
fight;  and  he  that  wears  Robin's  cloak  lies  under 
the  covert  yonder." 

"  The  best  news  I  have  heard  in  all  my  life  !  " 
exclaimed  the  Sheriff  rubbing  his  hands.  "  I 
would  that  we  could  have  saved  him  for  the  hang- 
ing— though  I  cannot  now  complain." 

*'  The  hanging?  "  repeated  Robin. 


142  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

11  Yes.  This  is  our  lucky  day  on  the  calendar. 
After  you  left  me  we  narrowly  missed  running 
one  of  the  fellows — I  believe  'twas  Will  Scarlet 
— to  earth ;  and  another  who  came  to  his  relief 
we  were  just  about  to  hang,  when  your  horn 
blew." 

"Who  was  the  other?"  asked  the  disguised 
outlaw. 

"  Whom  do  you  suppose  ? "  laughed  the 
Sheriff.  —  "The  best  man  in  the  greenwood, 
next  to  Robin  Hood  himself — Little  John,  Rey- 
nold Greenleaf !  "  For  the  Sheriff  could  not  for- 
get the  name  Little  John  had  borne  under 
his  own  roof  at  Nottingham. 

"  Little  John ! "  thought  Robin  with  a  start. 
Verily  that  was  a  lucky  blast  of  the  bugle ! 

"  But  I  see  you  have  not  escaped  without  a 
scratch,"  continued  the  Sheriff,  becoming  talka- 
tive through  pure  glee.  "  Here,  one  of  you  men  ! 
Give  Sir  Guy  of  Gisborne  your  horse ;  while 
others  of  you  bury  that  dog  of  an  outlaw  where 
he  lies.  And  let  us  hasten  back  to  Barnesdale 
and  finish  hanging  the  other." 

So  they  put  spurs  to  their  horses,  and  as  they 
rode  Robin  forced  himself  to  talk  merrily,  while 
all  the  time  he  was  planning  the  best  way  to  suc- 
cor Little  John. 


Guy  of  Gisborne  143 

"  A  boon,  Sheriff,"  he  said  as  they  reached  the 
gates  of  the  town. 

"  What  is  it,  worthy  sir  ?  You  have  but  to 
speak/' 

"  I  do  not  want  any  of  your  gold,  for  I  have  had 
a  brave  fight.  But  now  that  I  have  slain  the  mas- 
ter, let  me  put  an  end  to  the  man  ;  so  it  shall  be 
said  that  Guy  of  Gisborne  dispatched  the  two 
greatest  outlaws  of  England  in  one  day." 

"  Have  it  as  you  will,"  said  the  Sheriff,  "  but 
you  should  have  asked  a  knight's  fee  and  double 
your  reward,  and  it  would  have  been  yours. 
It  isn't  every  man  that  can  take  Robin  Hood." 

"  No,  Excellency,"  answered  Robin.  c<  I  say  it 
without  boasting,  that  no  man  took  Robin  Hood 
yesterday  and  none  shall  take  him  to-morrow." 

Then  he  approached  Little  John,  who  was  still 
tied  to  the  gallows'-tree ;  and  he  said  to  the 
Sheriff's  men,  "  Now  stand  you  back  here  till  I 
see  if  the  prisoner  has  been  shrived."  And  he 
stooped  swiftly,  and  cut  Little  John's  bonds,  and 
thrust  into  his  hands  Sir  Guy's  bow  and  arrows, 
which  he  had  been  careful  to  take. 

"  Tis  I,  Robin  !  "  he  whispered.  But  in  truth, 
Little  John  knew  it  already,  and  had  decided 
there  was  to  be  no  hanging  that  day. 

Then  Robin  blew  three  loud  blasts  upon  his 


144  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

own  horn,  and  drew  forth  his  own  bow ;  and  be- 
fore the  astonished  Sheriff  and  his  men  could 
come  to  arms  the  arrows  were  whistling  in  their 
midst  in  no  uncertain  fashion. 

And  look !  Through  the  gates  and  over  the 
walls  came  pouring  another  flight  of  arrows ! 
Will  Scarlet  and  Will  Stutely  had  watched  and 
planned  a  rescue  ever  since  the  Sheriff  and  Robin 
rode  back  down  the  hill.  Now  in  good  time 
they  came ;  and  the  Sheriff's  demoralized  force 
turned  tail  and  ran,  while  Robin  and  Little  John 
stood  under  the  harmless  gallows,  and  sped 
swift  arrows  after  them,  and  laughed  to  see  them 
go. 

Then  they  joined  their  comrades  and  hasted 
back  to  the  good  greenwood,  and  there  rested, 
They  had  got  enough  sport  for  one  day. 


CHAPTER  XII 

HOW    MAID    MARIAN    CAME    BACK  TO 
SHERWOOD  FOREST ;  ALSO,  HOW 
ROBIN    HOOD    CAME    BE- 
FORE QUEEN  ELEANOR 

But  Robin  Hood,  he  himself  had  disguis'd, 

And  Marian  was  strangely  attir'd, 
That  they  proved  foes,  and  so  fell  to  blows, 

Whose  valor  bold  Robin  admir'd. 
*  *  *  *  -x-  * 

And  when  he  came  at  London's  court, 

He  fell  down  on  his  knee. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  Lockesley,"  said  the  Queen, 
"  And  all  thy  good  yeomandree." 

NOW    it    fell    out    that    one    day    not 
long    thereafter,    Robin    was     minded 
to    try    his    skill    at    hunting.      And 
not    knowing    whom    he    might    meet    in    his 
rambles,  he  stained  his  face  and  put  on  a  sorry- 
looking  jacket  and  a  long  cloak  before  he  sallied 
forth.     As   he   walked,  the  peacefulness   of  the 
morning  came  upon  him,  and  brought  back  to 
his  memory  the  early  days  so  long  ago  when  he 
had    roamed    these   same    glades    with    Marian. 
MS 


146  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

How  sweet  they  seemed  to  him  now,  and  how  fai 
away !  Marian,  too,  the  dainty  friend  of  his 
youth — would  he  ever  see  her  again  ?  He  had 
thought  of  her  very  often  of  late,  and  each  time 
with  increasing  desire  to  hear  her  clear  voice  and 
musical  laugh,  and  see  her  eyes  light  up  at  his 
coming. 

Perhaps  the  happiness  of  Allan-a-Dale  and  his 
lady  had  caused  Robin's  heart-strings  to  vibrate 
more  strongly ;  perhaps,  too,  the  coming  of  Will 
Scarlet.  But,  certes,  Robin  was  anything  but  a 
hunter  this  bright  morning  as  he  walked  along 
with  head  drooping  in  a  most  love-lorn  way. 

Presently  a  hart  entered  the  glade  in  full  view 
of  him,  grazing  peacefully,  and  instantly  the  man 
of  action  awoke.  His  bow  was  drawn  and  a 
shaft  all  but  loosed,  when  the  beast  fell  suddenly, 
pierced  by  a  clever  arrow  from  the  far  side  of 
the  glade. 

Then  a  handsome  little  page  sprang  gleefully 
from  the  covert  and  ran  toward  the  dying  ani- 
mal. This  was  plainly  the  archer,  for  he 
flourished  his  bow  aloft,  and  likewise  bore  a 
sword  at  his  side,  though  for  all  that  he  looked  a 
mere  lad. 

Robin  approached  the  hart  from  the  other 
side. 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back      147 

"  How  dare  you  shoot  the  King's  beasts,  strip- 
ling ?  "  he  asked  severely. 

"  I  have  as  much  right  to  shoot  them  as  the 
King  himself,"  answered  the  page  haughtily. 
"  How  dare  you  question  me  ?  " 

The  voice  stirred  Robin  strongly.  It  seemed 
to  chime  into  his  memories  of  the  old  days.  He 
looked  at  the  page  sharply,  and  the  other  re- 
turned the  glance,  straight  and  unafraid. 

"Who  are  you,  my  lad?"  Robin  said  more 
civilly. 

"  No  lad  of  yours,  and  my  name's  my  own," 
retorted  the  other  with  spirit. 

"  Softly  !  Fair  and  softly,  sweet  page,  or  we  of 
the  forest  will  have  to  teach  you  manners  ! "  said 
Robin. 

"  Not  if  you  stand  for  the  forest !  "  cried  the 
page  whipping  out  his  sword.  "  Come,  draw, 
and  defend  yourself! " 

He  swung  his  blade  valiantly  ;  and  Robin  saw 
nothing  for  it  but  to  draw  likewise.  The  page 
thereupon  engaged  him  quite  fiercely,  and  Robin 
found  that  he  had  many  pretty  little  tricks  at 
fencing.  Nathless,  Robin  contented  himself 
with  parrying,  and  was  loth  to  exert  all  his  supe- 
rior strength  upon  the  lad.  So  the  fight  lasted 
for  above  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  at  the  end  of 


148  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

which  time  the  page  was  almost  spent  and  the 
hot  blood  flushed  his  cheeks  in  a  most  charming 
manner. 

The  outlaw  saw  his  distress,  and  to  end  the 
fight  allowed  himself  to  be  pricked  slightly  on 
the  wrist. 

"  Are  you  satisfied,  fellow  ?  "  asked  the  page, 
wincing  a  little  at  sight  of  the  blood. 

"  Aye,  honestly/'  replied  Robin ;  "  and  now 
perhaps  you  will  grant  me  the  honor  of  knowing 
to  whom  I  owe  this  scratch  ?  " 

"  I  am  Richard  Partington,  page  to  Her  Maj- 
esty, Queen  Eleanor,"  answered  the  lad  with 
dignity  ;  and  again  the  sound  of  his  voice  troubled 
Robin  sorely. 

"  Why  come  you  to  the  greenwood  alone, 
Master  Partington  ?  " 

The  lad  considered  his  answer  while  wiping  his 
sword  with  a  small  lace  kerchief.  The  action 
brought  a  dim  confused  memory  to  Robin.  The 
lad  finally  looked  him  again  in  the  eye. 

"  Forester,  whether  or  no  you  be  a  King's 
man,  know  that  I  seek  one  Robin  Hood,  an 
outlaw,  to  whom  I  bring  amnesty  from  the 
Queen.  Can  you  tell  me  aught  of  him  ? " 
And  while  awaiting  his  answer,  he  replaced 
the  kerchief  in  his  shirt.  As  he  did  so,  the 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back      149 

gleam  of  a  golden  trophy  caught  the  outlaw's 
eye. 

Robin  started  forward  with  a  joyful  cry. 

"  Ah !  I  know  you  now !  By  the  sight  of 
yon  golden  arrow  won  at  the  Sheriff's  tourney, 
you  are  she  on  whom  I  bestowed  it,  and  none 
other  than  Maid  Marian  !  " 

"You — are ?"  gasped  Marian,  for  it  was 

she ;  "  not  Robin  !  " 

"Robin's  self!"  said  he  gayly ;  and  forthwith, 
clad  as  he  was  in  rags,  and  stained  of  face,  he 
clasped  the  dainty  page  close  to  his  breast,  and 
she  forsooth  yielded  right  willingly. 

"  But  Robin !  "  she  exclaimed  presently,  "  I 
knew  you  not,  and  was  rude,  and  wounded 
you ! " 

"  'Twas  nothing,"  he  replied  laughingly,  "  so 
long  as  it  brought  me  you." 

But  she  made  more  ado  over  the  sore  wrist 
than  Robin  had  received  for  all  his  former  hurts 
put  together.  And  she  bound  it  with  the  little 
kerchief,  and  said,  "  Now  'twill  get  well ! "  and 
Robin  was  convinced  she  spoke  the  truth,  for  he 
never  felt  better  in  all  his  life.  The  whole  woods 
seemed  tinged  with  a  roseate  hue,  since  Marian 
had  come  again. 

But  she,  while  happy  also,  was  ill  at  ease ;  and 


150  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Robin  with  a  man's  slow  discernment  at  last  saw 
that  it  was  because  of  her  boy's  attire.  He 
thought  bluntly  that  there  was  naught  to  be 
ashamed  of,  yet  smilingly  handed  her  his  tattered 
long  cloak,  which  she  blushingly  put  on,  and 
forthwith  recovered  her  spirits  directly. 

Then  they  began  to  talk  of  each  other's  varied 
fortunes,  and  of  the  many  things  which  had 
parted  them ;  and  so  much  did  they  find  to  tell 
that  the  sun  had  begun  to  decline  well  into  the 
afternoon  before  they  realized  how  the  hours 
sped. 

"  I  am  but  a  sorry  host ! "  exclaimed  Robin, 
springing  to  his  feet.  "  I  have  not  once  invited 
you  to  my  wild  roof.'1 

"  And  I  am  but  a  sorry  page,"  replied  Marian  ; 
"  for  I  had  clean  forgot  that  I  was  Richard  Part- 
ington,  and  really  did  bring  you  a  message  from 
Queen  Eleanor ! " 

"  Tell  me  on  our  way  home,  and  there  you 
shall  be  entrusted  to  Mistress  Dale.  While  the 
first  of  my  men  we  meet  will  I  send  back  for 
your  deer." 

So  she  told  him,  as  they  walked  back  through 
the  glade,  how  that  the  fame  of  his  prowess  had 
reached  Queen  Eleanor's  ears,  in  London  town. 
And  the  Queen  had  said,  "  Fain  would  I  see  this 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back      151 

bold  yoeman,  and  behold  his  skill  at  the  long- 
bow." And  the  Queen  had  promised  him  am- 
nesty if  he  and  four  of  his  archers  would  repair 
to  London  against  the  next  tournament  the  week 
following,  there  to  shoot  against  King  Henry's 
picked  men,  of  whom  the  King  was  right  vain. 
All  this  Marian  told  in  detail,  and  added : 

"  When  I  heard  Her  Majesty  say  she  desired 
to  see  you,  I  asked  leave  to  go  in  search  of  you, 
saying  I  had  known  you  once.  And  the  Queen 
was  right  glad,  and  bade  me  go,  and  sent  this 
gold  ring  to  you  from  off  her  finger,  in  token  of 
her  faith." 

Then  Robin  took  the  ring  and  bowed  his  head 
and  kissed  it  loyally.  "  By  this  token  will  I  go 
to  London  town,"  quoth  he,  "  and  ere  I  part  with 
the  Queen's  pledge,  may  the  hand  that  bears  it 
be  stricken  off  at  the  wrist !  " 

By  this  time  they  were  come  to  the  grove  be- 
fore the  cave,  and  Robin  presented  Maid  Marian 
to  the  band,  who  treated  her  with  the  greatest  re- 
spect. Will  Scarlet  was  especially  delighted  to 
greet  again  his  old  time  friend,  while  Allan-a- 
Dale  and  his  good  wife  bustled  about  to  make 
her  welcome  in  their  tiny  thatched  cottage. 

That  evening  after  they  had  supped  royally 
upon  the  very  hart  that  Marian  had  slain ]  Allan 


152  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

sang  sweet  songs  of  Northern  minstrelsy  to  the 
fair  guest  as  she  sat  by  Robin's  side,  the  golden 
arrow  gleaming  in  her  dark  hair.  The  others  all 
joined  in  the  chorus,  from  Will  Scarlet's  baritone 
to  Friar  Tuck's  heavy  bass.  Even  Little  John 
essayed  to  sing,  although  looked  at  threateningly 
by  Much  the  miller's  son. 

Then  Robin  bade  Marian  repeat  her  message 
from  the  Queen,  which  Marian  did  in  a  way  be- 
fitting the  dignity  of  her  royal  mistress.  After 
which  the  yeomen  gave  three  cheers  for  the 
Queen  and  three  more  for  her  page,  and  drank 
toasts  to  them  both,  rising  to  their  feet. 

"  Ye  have  heard,"  quoth  Robin  standing 
forth,  "  how  that  Her  Majesty — whom  God  pre- 
serve ! — wishes  but  four  men  to  go  with  me. 
Wherefore,  I  choose  Little  John  and  Will 
Stutely,  my  two  lieutenants,  Will  Scarlet,  my 
cousin,  and  Allan-a-Dale,  my  minstrel.  Mistress 
Dale,  also,  can  go  with  her  husband  and  be  com- 
pany for  the  Queen's  page.  We  will  depart  with 
early  morning,  decked  in  our  finest.  So  stir  ye, 
my  lads  !  and  see  that  not  only  your  tunics  are 
fresh,  but  your  swords  bright  and  your  bows  and 
arrows  fit.  For  we  must  be  a  credit  to  the 
Queen  as  well  as  to  the  good  greenwood.  You, 
Much,  with  Stout  Will,  Lester,  and  John,  the 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back      153 

widow's  three  sons,  shall  have  command  of  the 
band  while  we  are  away ;  and  Friar  Tuck  shall 
preside  over  the  needs  of  your  souls  and  stom- 
achs." 

The  orders  were  received  with  shouts  of  ap- 
proval, and  toasts  all  around  were  drunk  again  in 
nut-brown  ale,  ere  the  company  dispersed  to  rest 
after  making  ready  for  the  journey. 

The  next  morning  was  as  fine  a  summer's  day 
as  ever  you  want  to  see,  and  the  green  leaves  of 
the  forest  made  a  pleasing  background  for  the 
gay  picture  of  the  yeomen  setting  forth.  Says 
the  old  ballad — it  was  a  seemly  sight  to  see  how 
Robin  Hood  himself  had  dressed,  and  all  his 
yeomanry.  He  clothed  his  men  in  Lincoln 
green,  and  himself  in  scarlet  red,  with  hats  of 
black  and  feathers  white  to  bravely  deck  each 
head.  Nor  were  the  two  ladies  behindhand,  I 
ween,  at  the  bedecking. 

Thus  the  chosen  party  of  seven  sallied  forth 
being  accompanied  to  the  edge  of  the  wood  by 
the  whole  band,  who  gave  them  a  merry  parting 
and  Godspeed ! 

The  journey  to  London  town  was  made  with- 
out incident.  The  party  proceeded  boldly  along 
the  King's  highroad,  and  no  man  met  them  who 


154  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

was  disposed  to  say  them  nay.  Besides,  the  good 
Queen's  warrant  and  ring  would  have  answered 
for  them,  as  indeed  it  did  at  the  gates  of  London. 
So  on  they  sped  and  in  due  course  came  to  the 
palace  itself  and  awaited  audience  with  the 
Queen. 

Now  the  King  had  gone  that  day  to  Finsbury 
Field,  where  the  tourney  was  soon  to  be  held, 
in  order  to  look  over  the  lists  and  see  some  of 
his  picked  men  whom  he  expected  to  win  against 
all  comers.  So  much  had  he  boasted  of  these 
men,  that  the  Queen  had  secretly  resolved  to  win 
a  wager  of  him.  She  had  heard  of  the  fame  of 
Robin  Hood  and  his  yeomen,  as  Marian  had 
said ;  and  Marian  on  her  part  had  been  overjoyed 
to  be  able  to  add  a  word  in  their  favor  and  to  set 
out  in  search  of  them. 

To-day  the  Queen  sat  in  her  private  audience- 
room  chatting  pleasantly  with  her  ladies,  when 
in  came  Mistress  Marian  Fitzwalter  attired  again 
as  befitted  her  rank  of  lady-in-waiting.  She 
courtesied  low  to  the  Queen  and  awaited  per- 
mission to  speak. 

"  How  now  !  "  said  the  Queen  smiling ;  "  is  this 
my  lady  Marian,  or  the  page,  Richard  Parting- 
ton  ?  " 

"  Both,  an   it  please  Your  Majesty.     Richard 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back       153 

found  the  man  you  sought,  while  Marian  brought 
him  to  you." 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  asked  Queen  Eleanor  eagerly. 

"  Awaiting  your  audience — he  and  four  of  his 
men,  likewise  a  lady  of  whose  wooing  and  wedding 
I  can  tell  you  a  pretty  story  at  another  time." 

"  Have  them  admitted." 

So  Marian  gave  orders  to  a  herald,  and  pres- 
ently Robin  Hood  and  his  little  party  entered 
the  room. 

Now  the  Queen  had  half-expected  the  men  to 
be  rude  and  uncouth  in  appearance,  because  of 
their  wild  life  in  the  forest ;  but  she  was  delight- 
fully disappointed.  Indeed  she  started  back  in 
surprise  and  almost  clapped  her  hands.  For, 
sooth  to  say,  the  yeomen  made  a  brave  sight, 
and  in  all  the  court  no  more  gallant  men  could  be 
found.  Marian  felt  her  cheeks  glow  with  pride, 
at  sight  of  the  half-hidden  looks  of  admiration 
sent  forth  by  the  other  ladies-in-waiting. 

Robin  had  not  forgot  the  gentle  arts  taught  by 
his  mother,  and  he  wore  his  fine  red  velvet  tunic 
and  breeches  with  the  grace  of  a  courtier.  We 
have  seen,  before,  what  a  dandified  gentleman 
Will  Scarlet  was  ;  and  Allan-a-Dale,  the  minstrel, 
was  scarcely  less  goodly  to  look  upon.  While 
the  giant  Little  John  and  broad-shouldered  Will 


1 56  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Stutely  made  up  in  stature  what  little  they  lacked 
in  outward  polish.  Mistress  Dale,  on  her  part, 
looked  even  more  charming,  if  possible,  than  on 
the  momentous  day  when  she  went  to  Plympton 
Church  to  marry  one  man  and  found  another. 

Thus  came  the  people  of  the  greenwood  before 
Queen  Eleanor,  in  her  own  private  audience 
room.  And  Robin  advanced  and  knelt  down  be- 
fore her,  and  said : 

"  Here  I  am,  Robin  Hood, — I  and  my  chosen 
men !  At  Your  Majesty's  bidding  am  I  come, 
bearing  the  ring  of  amnesty  which  I  will  protect 
— as  I  would  protect  Your  Majesty's  honor — 
with  my  life  !  " 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  Lockesley,"  said  the 
Queen  smiling  graciously.  "  Thou  art  come  in 
good  time,  thou  and  all  thy  brave  yeomanry." 

Then  Robin  presented  each  of  his  men  in  turn, 
and  each  fell  on  his  knee  and  was  greeted  with 
most  kindly  words.  And  the  Queen  kissed  fair 
Mistress  Dale  upon  the  cheek,  and  bade  her  re- 
main in  the  palace  with  her  ladies  while  she  was 
in  the  city.  And  she  made  all  the  party  be 
seated  to  rest  themselves  after  their  long  journey. 
Fine  wines  were  brought,  and  cake,  and  rich 
food,  for  their  refreshment.  And  as  they  ate 
and  drank,  the  Queen  told  them  further  of  the 


How  Maid  Marian  Came  Back      157 

tourney  to  be  held  at  Finsbury  Field,  and  of 
how  she  desired  them  to  wear  her  colors  and 
shoot  for  her.  Meantime,  she  concluded,  they 
were  to  lie  by  quietly  and  be  known  of  no  man. 

To  do  all  this,  Robin  and  his  men  pledged 
themselves  full  heartily.  Then  at  the  Queen's  re- 
quest, they  related  to  her  and  her  ladies  some  of 
their  merry  adventures  ;  whereat  the  listeners 
were  vastly  entertained,  and  laughed  heartily. 
Then  Marian,  who  had  heard  of  the  wedding  at 
Plympton  Church,  told  it  so  drolly  that  tears 
stood  in  the  Queen's  eyes  from  merriment. 

"  My  lord  Bishop  of  Hereford ! "  she  said. 
"  Twas  indeed  a  comical  business  for  him !  I 
shall  keep  that  to  twit  his  bones,  I  promise  you ! 
So  this  is  our  minstrel  ? "  she  added  presently 
turning  to  Allan-a-Dale.  "  Methinks  I  have  al- 
ready heard  of  him.  Will  he  not  harp  awhile 
for  us  to-day  ?  " 

Allan  bowed  low,  and  took  a  harp  which  was 
brought  to  him,  and  he  thrummed  the  strings  and 
sang  full  sweetly  the  border  songs  of  the  North 
Countree.  And  the  Queen  and  all  her  ladies 
listened  in  rapt  silence  till  all  the  songs  were 
ended. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

HOW  THE  OUTLAWS  SHOT  IN  KING 
HARRY'S  TOURNEY 

The  King  is  into  Finsbury  Field 

Marching  in  battle  'ray  ; 
And  after  follows  bold  Robin  Hood, 

And  all  his  yeomen  gay. 

THE  morning  of  the  great  archery  con- 
test dawned  fair  and  bright,  bringing 
with  it  a  fever  of  impatience  to  ever}' 
citizen  of  London  town,  from  the  proudest  court- 
ier to  the  lowest  kitchen  wench.  Aye,  and  all 
the  surrounding  country  was  early  awake,  too, 
and  began  to  wend  their  way  to  Finsbury 
Field,  a  fine  broad  stretch  of  practice  ground  near 
Moorfields.  Around  three  sides  of  the  Field  were 
erected  tier  upon  tier  of  seats,  for  the  spectators, 
with  the  royal  boxes  and  booths  for  the  nobility 
and  gentry  in  the  centre.  Down  along  one  end 
were  pitched  gayly  colored  tents  for  the  different 
bands  of  King's  archers.  There  were  ten  of  these 
bands,  each  containing  a  score  of  men  headed  by 

158 


King  Harry's  Tourney  159 

a  captain  of  great  renown  ;  so  to-day  there  were 
ten  of  the  pavilions,  each  bearing  aloft  the  Royal 
Arms  and  vari-colored  pennants  which  fluttered 
lightly  in  the  fresh  morning  breeze. 

Each  captain's  flag  was  of  peculiar  color  and 
device.  First  came  the  royal  purple  streamer  of 
Tepus,  own  bow-bearer  to  the  King,  and  esteemed 
the  finest  archer  in  all  the  land.  Then  came  the 
yellow  of  Clifton  of  Buckinghamshire ;  and  the 
blue  of  Gilbert  of  the  White  Hand, — he  who  was 
renowned  in  Nottinghamshire ;  and  the  green  of 
Elwyn  the  Welshman  ;  and  the  white  of  Robert 
of  Cloudesdale ;  and,  after  them,  five  other  cap- 
tains of  bands,  each  a  man  of  proved  prowess. 
As  the  Queen  had  said  aforetime,  the  King  was 
mightily  proud  of  his  archers,  and  now  held  this 
tourney  to  show  their  skill  and,  mayhap,  to  re- 
cruit their  forces. 

The  uprising  tiers  of  seats  filled  early,  upon  this 
summer  morning,  and  the  merry  chatter  of  the 
people  went  abroad  like  the  hum  of  bees  in  a 
hive.  The  royal  party  had  not  yet  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance, nor  were  any  of  the  King's  archers  vis- 
ible. So  the  crowd  was  content  to  hide  its  im- 
patience by  laughing  jibes  passed  from  one  sec- 
tion to  another,  and  crying  the  colors  of  their 
favorite  archers.  In  and  out  among  the  seats 


160  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

went  hawkers,  their  arms  laden  with  small  pen- 
nants to  correspond  with  the  rival  tents.  Other 
vendors  of  pie  and  small  cakes  and  cider  also 
did  a  thrifty  business,  for  so  eager  had  some  of 
the  people  been  to  get  good  seats,  that  they  had 
rushed  away  from  home  without  their  breakfast. 

Suddenly  the  gates  at  the  far  end,  next  the 
tents,  opened  wide,  and  a  courier  in  scarlet  and 
gold,  mounted  upon  a  white  horse,  rode  in  blow- 
ing lustily  upon  the  trumpet  at  his  lips  ;  and  be- 
hind him  came  six  standard-bearers  riding  abreast. 
The  populace  arose  with  a  mighty  cheer.  King 
Harry  had  entered  the  arena.  He  bestrode  a  fine 
white  charger  and  was  clad  in  a  rich  dark  suit  of 
slashed  velvet  with  satin  and  gold  facings.  His 
hat  bore  a  long  curling  ostrich  plume  of  pure 
white,  and  he  doffed  it  graciously  in  answer  to 
the  shouts  of  the  people.  By  his  side  rode  Queen 
Eleanor,  looking  regal  and  charming  in  her  long 
brocade  riding-habit ;  while  immediately  behind 
them  came  Prince  Richard  and  Prince  John  each 
attired  in  knightly  coats  of  mail  and  helmets. 
Lords  and  ladies  of  the  realm  followed ;  and, 
finally,  the  ten  companies  of  archers,  whose  prog- 
ress round  the  field  was  greeted  with  hardly  less 
applause  than  that  given  the  King  himself. 

The  King  and  Queen  dismounted  from  their 


King  Harry's  Tourney  161 

steeds,  ascended  the  steps  of  the  royal  box,  and 
seated  themselves  upon  two  thrones,  decked  with 
purple  and  gold  trappings,  upon  a  dais  sheltered 
by  striped  canvas.  In  the  booths  at  each  side 
the  members  of  the  Court  took  their  places  ; 
while  comely  pages  ran  hither  and  thither  bear- 
ing the  royal  commands.  'Twas  a  lordly  sight,  I 
ween,  this  shifting  of  proud  courtiers,  flashing  of 
jeweled  fans,  and  commingling  of  bright  colors 
with  costly  gems  ! 

Now  the  herald  arose  to  command  peace,  and 
soon  the  clear  note  of  his  bugle  rose  above  the 
roar  of  the  crowd  and  hushed  it  to  silence.  The 
tenscore  archers  ranged  themselves  in  two  long 
rows  on  each  side  of  the  lists — a  gallant  array — 
while  their  captains,  as  a  special  mark  of  favor, 
stood  near  the  royal  box. 

"  Come  hither,  Tepus,"  said  the  King  to  his 
bow-bearer.  "  Come,  measure  me  out  this  line, 
how  long  our  mark  must  be." 

"  What  is  the  reward  ?  "  then  asked  the  Queen. 

"  That  will  the  herald  presently  proclaim/'  an- 
swered the  King.  "  For  first  prize  we  have  offered 
a  purse  containing  twoscore  golden  pounds ;  for 
second,  a  purse  containing  twoscore  silver  pen- 
nies ;  and  for  third  a  silver  bugle,  inlaid  with 
gold.  Moreover,  if  the  King's  companies  keep 


1 62  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

these  prizes,  the  winning  companies  shall  have, 
first,  two  tuns  of  Rhenish  wine  ;  second,  two  tuns 
of  English  beer;  and,  third,  five  of  the  fattest 
harts  that  run  on  Dallom  Lea.  Methinks  that  is 
a  princely  wager,"  added  King  Harry  laughingly. 

Up  spake  bold  Clifton,  secure  in  the  King's, 
favor.  "  Measure  no  marks  for  us,  most  sovereign 
liege,"  quoth  he ;  "  for  such  largess  as  that,  we'll 
shoot  at  the  sun  and  the  moon." 

"  'Twill  not  be  so  far  as  that,"  said  the  King. 
"  But  get  a  line  of  good  length,  Tepus,  and  set  up 
the  targets  at  tenscore  paces." 

Forthwith,  Tepus  bowed  low,  and  set  up  ten 
targets,  each  bearing  the  pennant  of  a  different 
company,  while  the  herald  stood  forth  again  and 
proclaimed  the  rules  and  prizes.  The  entries 
were  open  to  all  comers.  Each  man,  also,  of  the 
King's  archers  should  shoot  three  arrows  at  the 
target  bearing  the  colors  of  his  band,  until  the 
best  bowman  in  each  band  should  be  chosen. 
These  ten  chosen  archers  should  then  enter  a 
contest  for  an  open  target — three  shots  apiece — 
and  here  any  other  bowman  whatsoever  was 
asked  to  try  his  skill.  The  result  at  the  open 
targets  should  decide  the  tourney. 

Then  all  the  people  shouted  again,  in  token 
that  the  terms  of  the  contest  pleased  them ;  and 


King  Harry's  Tourney  163 

the  archers  waved  their  bows  aloft,  and  wheeled 
into  position  facing  their  respective  targets. 

The  shooting  now  began,  upon  all  the  targets 
at  once,  and  the  multitude  had  so  much  ado  to 
watch  them,  that  they  forgot  to  shout.  Besides, 
silence  was  commanded  during  the  shooting.  Of 
all  the  fine  shooting  that  morning,  I  have  not 
now  space  to  tell  you.  The  full  score  of  men 
shot  three  times  at  each  target,  and  then  three 
times  again  to  decide  a  tie.  For,  more  than 
once,  the  arrow  shot  by  one  man  would  be  split 
wide  open  by  his  successor.  Every  man's  shaft 
bore  his  number  to  ease  the  counting;  and  so 
close  would  they  stick  at  the  end  of  a  round, 
that  the  target  looked  like  a  big  bristle  hair- 
brush. Then  must  the  spectators  relieve  their 
tense  spirits  by  great  cheering ;  while  the  King 
looked  mighty  proud  of  his  skilled  bowmen. 

At  last  the  company  targets  were  decided,  and 
Tepus,  as  was  expected,  led  the  score,  having 
made  six  exact  centres  in  succession.  Gilbert  of 
the  White  Hand  followed  with  five,  and  Clifton 
with  four.  Two  other  captains  had  touched 
their  centre  four  times,  but  not  roundly.  While 
in  the  other  companies  it  so  chanced  that  the 
captains  had  been  out-shot  by  some  of  the  men 
under  them. 


164  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  winners  then  saluted  the  King  and  Queen, 
and  withdrew  for  a  space  to  rest  and  renew  their 
bow-strings  for  the  keenest  contest  of  all ;  while 
the  lists  were  cleared  and  a  new  target — the  open 
one — was  set  up  at  twelvescore  paces.  At  the 
bidding  of  the  King,  the  herald  announced  that 
the  open  target  was  to  be  shot  at,  to  decide 
the  title  of  the  best  archer  in  all  England ; 
and  any  man  there  present  was  privileged  to 
try  for  it.  But  so  keen  had  been  the  previous 
shooting,  that  many  yeomen  who  had  come  to 
enter  the  lists  now  would  not  do  so;  and  only 
a  dozen  men  stepped  forth  to  give  in  their 
names. 

"  By  my  halidom  ! "  said  the  King,  "  these 
must  be  hardy  men  to  pit  themselves  against  my 
archers  ! " 

"  Think  you  that  your  ten  chosen  fellows  are 
the  best  bowmen  in  all  England?"  asked  the 
Queen. 

"  Aye,  and  in  all  the  world  beside,"  answered 
the  King  ;  "  and  thereunto  I  would  stake  five  hun- 
dred pounds." 

"  I  am  minded  to  take  your  wager,"  said  the 
Queen  musingly,  "  and  will  e'en  do  so  if  you 
grant  me  a  boon." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  the  King. 


King  Harry's  Tourney  165 

"  If  I  produce  five  archers  who  can  out-shoot 
your  ten,  will  you  grant  my  men  full  grace  and 
amnesty  ?  " 

"Assuredly!"  quoth  the  King  in  right  good 
humor.  "  Nathless,  I  tell  you  now,  your  wager 
is  in  jeopardy,  for  there  never  were  such  bowmen 
as  Tepus  and  Clifton  and  Gilbert !  " 

"  Hum ! "  said  the  Queen  puckering  her  brow, 
still  as  though  lost  in  thought.  "  I  must  see  if 
there  be  none  present  to  aid  me  in  my  wager. 
Boy,  call  hither  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea  and  my 
lord  Bishop  of  Hereford  !  " 

The  two  summoned  ones,  who  had  been  wit- 
nessing the  sport,  came  forward. 

"  Sir  Richard,"  said  she,  "  thou  art  a  full 
knight  and  good.  Would'st  advise  me  to  meet  a 
wager  of  the  King's,  that  I  can  produce  other 
archers  as  good  as  Tepus  and  Gilbert  and  Clif- 
ton ?  " 

"  Nay,  Your  Majesty,"  he  said,  bending  his 
knee.  "  There  be  none  present  that  can  match 
them.  Howbeit," — he  added  dropping  his  voice 
— "  I  have  heard  of  some  who  lie  hid  in  Sher- 
wood Forest  who  could  show  them  strange  tar- 
gets." 

The  Queen  smiled  and  dismissed  him. 

"  Come  hither,  my  lord  Bishop  of  Hereford/1 


i66  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

quoth  she,  "  would'st  thou  advance  a  sum  to 
support  my  wager  'gainst  the  King  ?  " 

"  Nay,  Your  Majesty,"  said  the  fat  Bishop,  "  an 
you  pardon  me,  I'd  not  lay  down  a  penny  on  such 
a  bet.  For  by  my  silver  mitre,  the  King's  archers 
are  men  who  have  no  peers." 

"  But  suppose  I  found  men  whom  thou  knew- 
est  to  be  masters  at  the  bow,"  she  insisted 
roguishly,  "  would'st  thou  not  back  them  ?  Be- 
like, I  have  heard  that  there  be  men  round  about 
Nottingham  and  Plympton  who  carry  such  mat- 
ters with  a  high  hand  !  " 

The  Bishop  glanced  nervously  around,  as  if 
half  expecting  to  see  Robin  Hood's  men  stand- 
ing near ;  then  turned  to  find  the  Queen  looking 
at  him  with  much  amusement  lurking  in  her  eyes. 

"  Odds  bodikins !  The  story  of  my  mis- 
adventure must  have  preceded  me!  "  he  thought, 
ruefully.  Aloud  he  said,  resolved  to  face  it  out, 

"  Your  Majesty,  such  tales  are  idle  and  ex- 
aggerated. An  you  pardon  me,  I  would  add  to 
the  King's  wager  that  his  men  are  invincible." 

"  As  it  pleases  thee,"  replied  the  Queen  im- 
perturbably.  "  How  much  ?  " 

"  Here  is  my  purse,"  said  the  Bishop  uneasily. 
"  It  contains  fifteen  score  nobles,  or  near  an  hun- 
dred pounds." 


King  Harry's  Tourney  167 

"  I'll  take  it  at  even  money,"  she  said,  dis- 
missing him  ;  "  and  Your  Majesty  " — turning  to 
the  King  who  had  been  conversing  with  the  two 
princes  and  certain  of  the  nobles — "  I  accept 
your  wager  of  five  hundred  pounds." 

"  Very  good,"  said  the  King,  laughing  as 
though  it  were  a  great  jest.  "  But  what  has 
minded  you  to  take  such  interest  in  the  sport,  of 
a  sudden  ?  " 

"  It  is  as  I  have  said.  I  have  found  five  men 
whom  I  will  pit  against  any  you  may  produce." 

"  Then  we  will  try  their  skill  speedily,"  quoth 
the  King.  "  How  say  you,  if  first  we  decide  this 
open  target  and  then  match  the  five  best  thereat 
against  your  unknown  champions  ?  " 

"  Agreed,"  said  the  Queen.  Thereupon  she 
signed  to  Maid  Marian  to  step  forward,  from  a 
near-by  booth  where  she  sat  with  other  ladies-in- 
waiting,  and  whispered  something  in  her  ear. 
Marian  courtesied  and  withdrew. 

Now  the  ten  chosen  archers  from  the  King's 
bands  came  forth  again  and  took  their  stand ;  and 
with  them  stood  forth  the  twelve  untried  men 
from  the  open  lists.  Again  the  crowd  was  stilled, 
and  every  eye  hung  upon  the  speeding  of  the 
shafts.  Slowly  but  skilfully  each  man  shot,  and 
as  his  shaft  struck  within  the  inner  ring  a  deep 


i68  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

breath  broke  from  the  multitude  like  the  sound 
of  the  wind  upon  the  seashore.  And  now  Gil- 
bert of  the  White  Hand  led  the  shooting,  and 
'twas  only  by  the  space  of  a  hair's-breadth  upon 
the  line  that  Tepus  tied  his  score.  Stout 
Elwyn,  the  Welshman,  took  third  place  ;  one  of 
the  private  archers,  named  Geoffrey,  came  fourth; 
while  Clifton  must  needs  content  himself  with 
fifth.  The  men  from  the  open  lists  shot  fairly 
true,  but  nervousness  and  fear  of  ridicule  wrought 
their  undoing. 

The  herald  then  came  forward  again,  and,  in- 
stead of  announcing  the  prize-winners,  pro- 
claimed that  there  was  to  be  a  final  contest. 
Two  men  had  tied  for  first  place,  declared  His 
Majesty  the  King,  and  three  others  were  entitled 
to  honors.  Now  all  these  five  were  to  shoot 
again,  and  they  were  to  be  pitted  against  five 
others  of  the  Queen's  choosing — men  who  had  not 
yet  shot  upon  that  day. 

A  thrill  of  astonishment  and  excitement  swept 
around  the  arena.  "  Who  were  these  men  of  the 
Queen's  choosing  ?  "  was  upon  every  lip.  The 
hubbub  of  eager  voices  grew  intense  ;  and  in  the 
midst  of  it  £ll,  the  gate  at  the  far  end  of  the  field 
opened  and  five  men  entered  and  escorted  a  lady 
upon  horseback  across  the  arena  to  the  royal  box. 


King  Harry's  Tourney  169 

The  lady  was  instantly  recognized  as  Mistress 
Marian  of  the  Queen's  household,  but  no  one 
seemed  to  know  the  faces  of  her  escort.  Four 
were  clad  in  Lincoln  green,  while  the  fifth  who 
seemed  to  be  the  leader,  was  dressed  in  a  brave 
suit  of  scarlet  red.  Each  man  wore  a  close 
fitting  cap  of  black,  decked  with  a  curling  white 
feather.  For  arms,  they  carried  simply  a  stout 
bow,  a  sheaf  of  new  arrows,  and  a  short  hunting- 
knife. 

When  the  little  party  came  before  the  dais  on 
which  the  King  and. Queen  sat,  the  yeomen  doffed 
their  caps  humbly,  while  Maid  Marian  was  as- 
sisted to  dismount. 

"  Your  Gracious  Majesty,"  she  said,  addressing 
the  Queen,  "  these  be  the  men  for  whom  you  sent 
me,  and  who  are  now  come  to  wear  your  colors 
and  serve  you  in  the  tourney." 

The  Queen  leaned  forward  and  handed  them 
each  a  scarf  of  green  and  gold. 

"  Lockesley,"  she  said  in  a  clear  voice,  "  I 
thank  thee  and  thy  men  for  this  service.  Know 
that  I  have  laid  a  wager  with  the  King  that  ye 
can  outshoot  the  best  five  whom  he  has  found  in 
all  his  bowmen." 

The  five  men  pressed  the  scarfs  to  their  lips  in 
token  of  fealty. 


170  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  King  turned  to  the  Queen  inquiringly. 

"  Who  are  these  men  you  have  brought  before 
us  ?  "  asked  he. 

Up  came  the  worthy  Bishop  of  Hereford, 
growing  red  and  pale  by  turns. 

"  Your  pardon,  my  liege  lord  ! "  cried  he  ; 
"  but  I  must  denounce  these  fellows  as  outlaws. 
Yon  man  in  scarlet  is  none  other  than  Robin 
Hood  himself.  The  others  are  Little  John  and 
Will  Stutely  and  Will  Scarlet  and  Allan-a-Dale— 
all  famous  in  the  North  Countree  for  their  deeds 
of  violence/' 

"  As  my  lord  Bishop  personally  knows !  " 
added  the  Queen  significantly. 

The  King's  brows  grew  dark.  The  name  of 
Robin  Hood  was  well  known  to  him,  as  to  every 
man  there  present. 

"  Is  this  true  ?  "  he  demanded  sternly. 

"  Aye,  my  lord,"  responded  the  Queen  de- 
murely. "  But,  bethink  you — I  have  your  royal 
promise  of  grace  and  amnesty." 

"  That  will  I  keep,"  said  the  King,  holding  in 
check  his  ire  by  a  mighty  effort.  "  But,  look 
you !  Only  forty  days  do  I  grant  of  respite. 
When  this  time  has  elapsed,  let  these  bold  outlaws 
look  to  their  safety  !  " 

Then  turning  to  his  five  victorious  archers,  who 


King  Harry's  Tourney  171 

had  drawn  near,  he  added,  "  Ye  have  heard,  my 
men,  how  that  I  have  a  wager  with  the  Queen 
upon  your  prowess.  Now  here  be  men  of  her 
choosing — certain  free  shafts  of  Sherwood  and 
Barnesdale.  Wherefore  look  well  to  it,  Gilbert 
and  Tepus  and  Geoffrey  and  Ehvyn  and  Clifton  ! 
If  ye  outshoot  these  knaves,  I  wfll  fill  your  caps 
with  silver  pennies — aye,  and  knight  the  man 
who  stands  first.  But  if  ye  lose,  I  give  the  prizes, 
for  which  ye  have  just  striven,  to  Robin  Hood 
and  his  men,  according  to  my  royal  word." 

"  Robin  Hood  and  his  men !  "  the  saying  flew 
round  the  arena  with  the  speed  of  wild-fire,  and 
every  neck  craned  forward  to  see  the  famous  fel- 
lows who  had  dared  to  brave  the  King's  anger, 
because  of  the  Queen. 

Another  target  was  now  set  up,  at  the  same 
distance  as  the  last,  and  it  was  decided  that  the 
ten  archers  should  shoot  three  arrows  in  turn. 
Gilbert  and  Robin  tossed  up  a  penny  for  the  lead, 
and  it  fell  to  the  King's  men.  So  Clifton  was 
bidden  to  shoot  first.  Forth  he  stood,  planting  his 
feet  firmly,  and  wetting  his  fingers  before  pluck- 
ing the  string.  For  he  was  resolved  to  better  his 
losing  score  of  that  day.  And  in  truth  he  did  so, 
for  the  shaft  he  loosed  sped  true,  and  landed 
on  the  black  bull's-eye,  though  not  in  the 


172  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

exact  centre.  Again  he  shot,  and  again  he 
hit  the  black,  on  the  opposite  rim.  The  third 
shaft  swerved  downward  and  came  within  the 
second  ring,  some  two  fingers'  breadths  away. 
Nathless,  a  general  cry  went  up,  as  this  was  the 
best  shooting  Clifton  had  done  that  day. 

Will  Scarlet  was  chosen  to  follow  him,  and  now 
took  his  place  and  carefully  chose  three  round 
and  full-feathered  arrows. 

"  Careful,  my  sweet  coz  !  "  quoth  Robin  in  a 
low  tone.  "  The  knave  has  left  wide  space  at  the 
centre  for  all  of  your  darts." 

But  Robin  gave  Will  the  wrong  caution,  for 
over-much  care  spoiled  his  aim.  His  first  shaft 
flew  wide  and  lodged  in  the  second  ring  even  fur- 
ther away  than  the  worst  shot  of  Clifton. 

"Your  pardon,  coz!"  quoth  Robin  hastily. 
"  Bid  care  go  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and  do 
you  loose  your  string  before  it  sticks  to  your 
fingers  ! " 

And  Will  profited  by  this  hint,  and  loosed  his 
next  two  shafts  as  freely  as  though  they  flew 
along  a  Sherwood  glade.  Each  struck  upon  the 
bull's-eye,  and  one  even  nearer  the  centre  than 
his  rival's  mark.  Yet  the  total  score  was  ad- 
judged in  favor  of  Clifton.  At  this  Will  Scarlet 
bit  his  lip,  but  said  no  word,  while  the  crowd 


King  Harry's  Tourney  173 

shouted  and  waved  yellow  flags  for  very  joy  that 
the  King's  man  had  overcome  the  outlaw.  They 
knew,  also,  that  this  demonstration  would  please 
the  King. 

The  target  was  now  cleared  for  the  next 
two  contestants  —  Geoffrey  and  Allan-a-Dale. 
Whereat,  it  was  noticed  that  many  ladies  in  the 
Queen's  booths  boldly  flaunted  Allan's  colors, 
much  to  the  honest  pride  which  glowed  in  the 
cheeks  of  one  who  sat  in  their  midst. 

"  In  good  truth,"  said  more  than  one  lady 
to  Mistress  Dale,  "  if  thy  husband  can  handle  the 
longbow  as  skilfully  as  the  harp,  his  rival  has 
little  show  of  winning  !  " 

The  saying  augured  well.  Geoffrey  had  shot 
many  good  shafts  that  day ;  and  indeed  had  risen 
from  the  ranks  by  virtue  of  them.  But  now  each 
of  his  three  shots,  though  well  placed  in  triangu- 
lar fashion  around  the  rim  of  the  bull's-eye,  yel 
allowed  an  easy  space  for  Allan  to  graze  within, 
His  shooting,  moreover,  was  so  prettily  done^ 
that  he  was  right  heartily  applauded — the 
ladies  and  their  gallants  leading  in  the  hand- 
clapping. 

Now  you  must  know  that  there  had  long  been 
a  friendly  rivalry  in  Robin  Hood's  band  as  to 
who  was  the  best  shot,  next  after  Robin  himself. 


174  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

He  and  Will  Stutely  had  lately  decided  their 
marksmanship,  and  Will  had  found  that  Robin's 
skill  was  now  so  great  as  to  place  the  leader  at 
the  head  of  all  good  bowmen  in  the  forest.  But 
the  second  place  lay  between  Little  John  and 
Stutely,  and  neither  wished  to  yield  to  the  other. 
So  to-day  they  looked  narrowly  at  their  leader  to 
see  who  should  shoot  third.  Robin  read  their 
faces  at  a  glance,  and  laughing  merrily  broke  off 
two  straws  and  held  them  out. 

"  The  long  straw  goes  next !  "  he  decided ;  and 
it  fell  to  Stutely. 

Elwyn  the  Welshman  was  to  precede  him  ;  and 
his  score  was  no  whit  better  than  Geoffrey's. 
But  Stutely  failed  to  profit  by  it.  His  besetting 
sin  at  archery  had  ever  been  an  undue  haste  and 
carelessness.  To-day  these  were  increased  by  a 
certain  moodiness,  that  Little  John  had  outranked 
him.  So  his  first  two  shafts  flew  swiftly,  one 
after  the  other,  to  lodging  places  outside  the 
Welshman's  mark. 

"  Man  !  man  !  "  cried  Robin  entreatingly,  "  yoic 
do  forget  the  honor  of  the  Queen,  and  the  credit 
of  Sherwood ! " 

"  I  ask  your  pardon,  master  !  "  quoth  Will 
humbly  enough,  and  loosing  as  he  spoke  his  last 
shaft.  It  whistled  down  the  course  unerringly 


King  Harry's  Tourney  175 

and  struck  in  the  exact  centre — the  best  shot  yet 
made. 

Now  some  shouted  for  Stutely  and  some 
shouted  for  Elwyn ;  but  Elwyn's  total  mark  was 
declared  the  better.  Whereupon  the  King  turned 
to  the  Queen. 

"  What  say  you  now  ?  "  quoth  he  in  some  tri- 
umph. "  Two  out  of  the  three  first  rounds  have 
gone  to  my  men.  Your  outlaws  will  have  to 
shoot  better  than  that  in  order  to  save  your 
wager  !  " 

The  Queen  smiled  gently. 

"  Yea,  my  lord,"  she  said.  "  But  the  twain 
who  are  left  are  able  to  do  the  shooting.  You 
forget  that  I  still  have  Little  John  and  Robin 
Hood." 

"  And  you  forget,  my  lady,  that  I  still  have 
Tepus  and  Gilbert." 

So  each  turned  again  to  the  lists  and  awaited 
the  next  rounds  in  silent  eagerness.  I  ween  that 
King  Harry  had  never  watched  the  invasion  of 
an  enemy  with  more  anxiety  than  he  now 
felt. 

Tepus  was  chosen  to  go  next  and  he  fell  into 
the  same  error  with  Will  Scarlet.  He  held  the 
string  a  moment  too  long,  and  both  his  first 
and  second  arrows  came  to  grief.  One  of  them, 


176  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

however,  came  within  the  black  rim,  and  he  fol- 
lowed it  up  by  placing  his  third  in  the  full  centre, 
just  as  Stutely  had  done  in  his  last.  These  two 
centres  were  the  fairest  shots  that  had  been  made 
that  day ;  and  loud  was  the  applause  which  greeted 
this  second  one.  But  the  shouting  was  as  noth- 
ing to  the  uproar  which  followed  Little  John's 
shooting.  That  good-natured  giant  seemed  de- 
termined to  outdo  Tepus  by  a  tiny  margin  in 
each  separate  shot ;  for  the  first  and  the  second 
shafts  grazed  his  rival's  on  the  inner  side,  while  for 
the  third  Little  John  did  the  old  trick  of  the 
forest :  he  shot  his  own  arrow  in  a  graceful  curve 
which  descended  from  above  upon  Tepus's 
final  centre  shaft  with  a  glancing  blow  that 
drove  the  other  out  and  left  the  outlaw's  in  its 
place. 

The  King  could  scarce  believe  his  eyes.  "  By 
my  halidom !  "  quoth  he,  "  that  fellow  deserves 
either  a  dukedom  or  a  hanging !  He  must  be  in 
league  with  Satan  himself!  Never  saw  I  such 
shooting." 

"  The  score  is  tied,  my  lord,"  said  the  Queen, 
"  we  have  still  to  see  Gilbert  and  Robin  Hood." 

Gilbert  now  took  his  stand  and  slowly  shot  his 
arrows,  one  after  another,  into  the  bull's-eye. 
Twas  the  best  shooting  he  had  yet  done,  but 


King  Harry's  Tourney  177 

there  was  still  the  smallest  of  spaces  left — if  you 
looked  closely — at  the  very  centre. 

"  Well  done,  Gilbert ! "  spoke  up  Robin  Hood. 
•'  You  are  a  foeman  worthy  of  being  shot  against." 
He  took  his  own  place  as  he  spoke.  "  Now  if 
you  had  placed  one  of  your  shafts  there  " — loos- 
ing one  of  his  own — "  and  another  there  " — out 
sped  the  second — "  and  another  there  " — the  third 
was  launched — "  mayhap  the  King  would  have 
declared  you  the  best  bowman  in  ail  England  !  " 

But  the  last  part  of  his  merry  speech  was 
drowned  in  the  wild  tumult  of  applause  which 
followed  his  exploit.  His  first  two  shafts  had 
packed  themselves  into  the  small  space  left  at  the 
bull's-eye  ;  while  his  third  had  split  down  between 
them,  taking  half  of  each,  and  making  all  three 
appear  from  a  distance,  as  one  immense  arrow. 

Up  rose  the  King  in  amazement  and  anger. 

"  Gilbert  is  not  yet  beaten  !  "  he  cried.  "  Did 
he  not  shoot  within  the  mark  thrice?  And  that 
is  allowed  a  best  in  all  the  rules  of  archery." 

Robin  bowed  low. 

"  As  it  please  Your  Majesty ! "  quoth  he. 
"  But  may  I  be  allowed  to  place  the  mark  for  the 
second  shooting  ?  " 

The  King  waved  his  hand  sullenly.  There- 
upon Robin  prepared  another  old  trick  of  the 


1 78  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

greenwood,  and  got  him  a  light,  peeled  willow 
wand  which  he  set  in  the  ground  in  place  of  the 
target. 

"  There,  friend  Gilbert,"  called  he  gayly ;  "  be- 
like you  can  hit  that !  " 

"  I  can  scarce  see  it  from  here,"  said  Gilbert, 
"  much  less  hit  it.  Nathless,  for  the  King's 
honor,  I  will  try." 

But  this  final  shot  proved  his  undoing,  and  his 
shaft  flew  harmlessly  by  the  thin  white  streak. 
Then  came  Robin  to  his  stand  again,  and  picked 
his  arrow  with  exceeding  care,  and  tried  his 
string.  Amid  a  breathless  pause  he  drew  the 
good  yew  bow  back  to  his  ear,  glanced  along  the 
shaft,  and  let  the  feathered  missile  fly.  Straight 
it  sped,  singing  a  keen  note  of  triumph  as  it  went. 
The  willow  wand  was  split  in  twain,  as  though  it 
had  met  a  hunter's  knife. 

"  Verily,  I  think  your  bow  is  armed  with  witch- 
craft !  "  cried  Gilbert.  "  For  I  did  not  believe  such 
shooting  possible." 

"  You  should  come  to  see  our  merry  lads  in 
the  greenwood,"  retorted  Robin  lightly.  "  For 
willow  wands  do  not  grow  upon  the  cobble- 
stones of  London  town." 

Meanwhile  the  King  in  great  wrath  had  risen 
to  depart,  first  signing  to  the  judges  to  distribute 


King  Harry's  Tourney  179 

the  prizes.  Never  a  word  said  he,  of  good  or  ill, 
to  the  Queen,  but  mounted  his  horse  and,  fol- 
lowed by  his  sons  and  knights,  rode  off  the  field. 
The  archers  dropped  upon  one  knee  as  he  passed, 
but  he  gave  them  a  single  baleful  look  and  was 
gone. 

Then  the  Queen  beckoned  the  outlaws  to  ap- 
proach, and  they  did  so  and  knelt  at  her  feet. 

"  Right  well  have  ye  served  me,"  she  said, 
"  and  sorry  am  I  that  the  King's  anger  is  aroused 
thereby.  But  fear  ye  not.  His  word  and  grace 
hold  true.  As  to  these  prizes  ye  have  gained,  I 
add  others  of  mine  own — the  wagers  I  have  won 
from  His  Majesty  the  King  and  from  the  lord 
Bishop  of  Hereford.  Buy  with  some  of  these 
moneys  the  best  swords  ye  can  find  in  London, 
for  all  your  band,  and  call  them  the  swords  of 
the  Queen.  And  swear  with  them  to  protect  all 
the  poor  and  the  helpless  and  the  women-kind 
who  come  your  way." 

"  We  swear,"  said  the  five  yeomen  solemnly. 

Then  the  Queen  gave  each  of  them  her  hand 
to  kiss,  and  arose  and  departed  with  all  her  ladies. 
And  after  they  were  gone,  the  King's  archers 
came  crowding  around  Robin  and  his  men,  eager 
to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  fellows  about  whom  they 
had  heard  so  much.  And  back  of  them  came  a 


180  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

great  crowd  of  the  spectators  pushing  and  jos- 
tling in  their  efforts  to  come  nearer. 

"Verily!"  laughed  Little  John,  "they  must 
take  us  for  a  Merry  Andrew  show  !  " 

Now  the  judges  came  up,  and  announced  to 
each  man  his  prize,  according  to  the  King's  com- 
mand. To  Robin  was  given  the  purse  contain- 
ing twoscore  golden  pounds ;  to  Little  John  the 
twoscore  silver  pennies  ;  and  to  Allan-a-Dale  the 
fine  inlaid  bugle,  much  to  his  delight,  for  he  was 
skilled  at  blowing  sweet  tunes  upon  the  horn 
hardly  less  than  handling  the  harp  strings.  But 
when  the  Rhenish  wine  and  English  beer  and 
harts  of  Dallom  Lea  were  spoken  of,  Robin  said : 

"  Nay,  what  need  we  of  wine  or  beer,  so  far 
from  the  greenwood?  And  'twould  be  like 
carrying  coals  to  Newcastle,  to  drive  those  harts 
to  Sherwood  !  Now  Gilbert  and  Tepus  and  their 
men  have  shot  passing  well.  Wherefore,  the 
meat  and  drink  must  go  to  them,  an  they  will 
accept  it  of  us." 

"  Right  gladly,"  replied  Gilbert  grasping  his 
hand.  "  Ye  are  good  men  all,  and  we  will  toast 
you  every  one,  in  memory  of  the  greatest  day  at 
archery  that  England  has  ever  seen,  or  ever  will 
see ! " 

Thus  said  all  the  King's  archers,  and  the  hand 


King  Harry's  Tourney  181 

of  good-fellowship  was  given  amid  much  shout- 
ing and  clapping  on  the  shoulder-blades. 

And  so  ended  King  Harry's  tourney,  whose 
story  has  been  handed  down  from  sire  to  son, 
even  unto  the  present  day. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  WAS  SOUGHT  OF  THE 

TINKER 

And  while  the  tinker  fell  asleep, 

Robin  made  haste  away, 
And  left  the  tinker  in  the  lurch, 

For  the  great  shot  to  pay. 

KING  HARRY  was  as  good  as  his  word. 
Robin  Hood  and  his  party  were  suffered 
to    depart    from    London — the    parting 
bringing  keen  sorrow  to  Marian — and  for  forty 
days  no  hand  was  raised  against  them.     But  at 
the  end  of  that  time,  the  royal  word  was  sent  to 
the  worthy  Sheriff  at  Nottingham  that  he  must 
lay  hold  upon  the  outlaws  without  further  delay, 
as  he  valued  his  office. 

Indeed,  the  exploits  of  Robin  and  his  band, 
ending  with  the  great  tourney  in  Finsbury  Field, 
had  made  a  mighty  stir  through  all  England,  and 
many  there  were  to  laugh  boldly  at  the  Notting- 
ham official  for  his  failures  to  capture  the  outlaws. 
The  Sheriff  thereupon  planned  three  new  ex- 
182 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      183 

peditions  into  the  greenwood,  and  was  even 
brave  enough  to  lead  them,  since  he  had  fifteen- 
score  men  at  his  beck  and  call  each  time.  But 
never  the  shadow  of  an  outlaw  did  he  see,  for 
Robin's  men  lay  close,  and  the  Sheriff's  men 
knew  not  how  to  come  at  their  chief  hiding-place 
in  the  cove  before  the  cavern. 

Now  the  Sheriff's  daughter  had  hated  Robin 
Hood  bitterly  in  her  heart  ever  since  the 
day  he  refused  to  bestow  upon  her  the  golden 
arrow,  and  shamed  her  before  all  the  company. 
His  tricks,  also,  upon  her  father  were  not  calcu- 
lated to  lessen  her  hatred,  and  so  she  sought  about 
for  means  to  aid  the  Sheriff  in  catching  the  enemy. 

"  There  is  no  need  to  go  against  this  man  with 
force  of  arms,"  she  said.  "  We  must  meet  his 
tricks  with  other  tricks  of  our  own." 

"  Would  that  we  could  !  "  groaned  the  Sheriff. 
"  The  fellow  is  becoming  a  nightmare  unto  me." 

"  Let  me  plan  a  while,"  she  replied.  "  Belike 
I  can  cook  up  some  scheme  for  his  undoing." 

"  Agreed,"  said  the  Sheriff,  "  and  if  anything 
comes  of  your  planning,  I  will  e'en  give  you  an 
hundred  silver  pennies  for  a  new  gown,  and  a 
double  reward  to  the  man  who  catches  the 
outlaw." 

Now  upon  that  same  day,  while  the  Sheriff's 


1 84  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

daughter  was  racking  her  brains  for  a  scheme, 
there  came  to  the  Mansion  House  a  strolling 
tinker  named  Middle,  a  great  gossip  and  brag- 
gart. And  as  he  pounded  away  upon  some  pots 
and  pans  in  the  scullery,  he  talked  loudly  about 
what  he  would  do,  if  he  once  came  within  reach 
of  that  rascal  Robin  Hood. 

"  It  might  be  that  this  simple  fellow  could  do 
something  through  his  very  simplicity,"  mused 
the  Sheriff's  daughter,  overhearing  his  prattle. 
"  Odds  bodikins  !  'twill  do  no  harm  to  try  his 
service,  while  I  bethink  myself  of  some  better 
plan." 

And  she  called  him  to  her,  and  looked  him 
over — a  big  brawny  fellow  enough,  with  an  hon- 
est look  about  the  eye,  and  a  countenance  so 
open  that  when  he  smiled  his  mouth  seemed  the 
only  country  on  the  map. 

"  I  am  minded  to  try  your  skill  at  outlaw 
catching,"  she  said,  "  and  will  add  goodly  meas- 
ure to  the  stated  reward  if  you  succeed.  Do 
you  wish  to  make  good  your  boasted  prowess?" 

The  tinker  grinned  broadly. 

"  Yes,  your  ladyship,"  he  said. 

"  Then  here  is  a  warrant  made  out  this  morn- 
ing by  the  Sheriff  himself.  See  that  you  keep  it 
safely  and  use  it  to  good  advantage." 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      185 

And  she  dismissed  him. 

Middle  departed  from  the  house  mightily 
pleased  with  himself,  and  proud  of  his  commis- 
sion. He  swung  his  crab-tree-staff  recklessly  in 
his  glee — so  recklessly  that  he  imperiled  the 
shins  of  more  than  one  angry  passer-by — and 
vowed  he'd  crack  the  ribs  of  Robin  Hood  with 
it,  though  he  was  surrounded  by  every  outlaw  in 
the  whole  greenwood. 

Spurred  on  by  the  thoughts  of  his  own  com- 
ing bravery,  he  left  the  town  and  proceeded 
toward  Barnesdale.  The  day  was  hot  and 
dusty  and  at  noon-time  he  paused  at  a  way- 
side inn  to  refresh  himself.  He  began  by  eating 
and  drinking  and  dozing,  in  turn,  then  sought  to 
do  all  at  once. 

Mine  host  of  the  "  Seven  Does  "  stood  by,  dis- 
cussing the  eternal  Robin  with  a  drover. 

"  Folk  do  say  that  my  lord  Sheriff  has  sent 
into  Lincoln  for  more  men-at-arms  and  horses, 
and  that  when  he  has  these  behind  him,  he'll 
soon  rid  the  forest  of  these  fellows." 

"  Of  whom  speak  you  ? "  asked  the  tinker 
sitting  up. 

"  Of  Robin  Hood  and  his  men,"  said  the 
host ;  "  but  go  to  sleep  again.  You  will  never 
get  the  reward  ! " 


1 86  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  And  why  not  ? "  asked  the  tinker  rising 
with  great  show  of  dignity. 

"  Where  our  Sheriff  has  failed,  and  the  stout 
Guy  of  Gisborne,  and  many  more  beside,  it  be- 
hoves not  a  mere  tinker  to  succeed." 

The  tinker  laid  a  heavy  hand  upon  the  inn- 
keeper's fat  shoulder,  and  tried  to  look  impress- 
ive. 

"  There  is  your  reckoning,  host,  upon  the  ta- 
ble. I  must  e'en  go  upon  my  way,  because  I  have 
more  important  business  than  to  stand  here  gos- 
siping with  you.  But  be  not  surprised,  if,  the 
next  time  you  see  me,  I  shall  have  with  me  no 
less  person  than  Robin  Hood  himself !  " 

And  he  strode  loftily  out  the  door  and  walked 
up  the  hot  white  road  toward  Barnesdale. 

He  had  not  gone  above  a  quarter  of  a  mile  when 
he  met  a  young  man  with  curling  brown  hair  and 
merry  eyes.  The  young  man  carried  his  light 
cloak  over  his  arm,  because  of  the  heat,  and  was  un- 
armed save  for  a  light  sword  at  his  side.  The 
newcomer  eyed  the  perspiring  tinker  in  a 
friendly  way,  and  seeing  he  was  a  stout  fellow 
accosted  him. 

"  Good  -day  to  you  !  "  said  he. 

"  Good-day  to  you  !  "  said  the  tinker  ;  "  and 
a  morrow  less  heating." 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      187 

"  Aye,"  laughed  the  other.  "  Whence  come 
you  ?  And  know  you  the  news  ?  " 

"  What  is  the  news  ?  "  said  the  gossipy  tinker, 
pricking  up  his  ear ;  "  I  am  a  tinker  by  trade, 
Middle  by  name,  and  come  from  over  against 
Banbury." 

"  Why  as  for  the  news,"  laughed  the  stranger, 
"  I  hear  that  two  tinkers  were  set  i'  the  stocks 
for  drinking  too  much  ale  and  beer." 

"  If  that  be  all  your  news,"  retorted  Mid- 
dle, "  I  can  beat  you  clear  to  the  end  of  the 
lane." 

"  What  news  have  you  ?  Seeing  that  you  go 
from  town  to  town,  I  ween  you  can  outdo  a 
poor  country  yokel  at  tidings." 

"All  I  have  to  tell,"  said  the  other,  "  is  that  I 
am  especially  commissioned  " — he  felt  mightily 
proud  of  these  big  words — "  especially  commis- 
sioned to  seek  a  bold  outlaw  which  they  call 
Robin  Hood." 

"So?"  said  the  other  arching  his  brows. 
"  How  *  especially  commissioned '  ?  " 

"  I  have  a  warrant  from  the  Sheriff,  sealed  with 
the  King's  own  seal,  to  take  him  where  I  can  ; 
and  if  you  can  tell  me  where  he  is,  I  will  e'en 
make  a  man  of  you." 

"  Let  me  see  the  warrant,"  said  the  other,  "  to 


i88  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

satisfy  myself  if  it  be  right ;  and  I  will  do  the 
best  I  can  to  bring  him  to  you." 

"  That  will  I  not,"  replied  the  tinker ;  "  I  will 
trust  none  with  it.  And  if  you'll  not  help  me  to 
come  at  him  I  must  forsooth  catch  him  by  my- 
self." 

And  he  made  his  crab-tree-staff  whistle  shrill 
circles  in  the  air. 

The  other  smiled  at  the  tinker's  simplicity,  and 
said : 

"  The  middle  of  the  road  on  a  hot  July  day  is 
not  a  good  place  to  talk  things  over.  Now  if 
you're  the  man  for  me  and  I'm  the  man  for  you, 
let's  go  back  to  the  inn,  just  beyond  the  bend  of 
road,  and  quench  our  thirst  and  cool  our  heads 
for  thinking."  ' 

"  Marry  come  up  ! "  quoth  the  tinker.  "  That 
will  I !  For  though  I've  just  come  from  there, 
my  thirst  rises  mightily  at  the  sound  of  your 
voice." 

So  back  he  turned  with  the  stranger  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  "  Seven  Does." 

The  landlord  arched  his  eyebrows  silently 
when  he  saw  the  two  come  in,  but  served  them 
willingly. 

The  tinker  asked  for  wine,  and  Robin  for  ale. 
The  wine  was  not  the  most  cooling  drink  in  the 


How  Robin -Hood  was  Sought      189 

cellars,  nor  the  clearest  headed.  Nathless,  the 
tinker  asked  for  it,  since  it  was  expensive  and 
the  other  man  had  invited  him  to  drink.  They 
lingered  long  over  their  cups,  Master  Mid- 
dle emptying  one  after  another  while  the  stranger 
expounded  at  great  length  on  the  best  plans 
for  coming  at  and  capturing  Robin  Hood. 

In  the  end  the  tinker  fell  sound  asleep  while  in 
the  act  of  trying  to  get  a  tankard  to  his  lips. 
Then  the  stranger  deftly  opened  the  snoring  man's 
pouch,  took  out  the  warrant,  read  it,  and  put  it  in 
his  own  wallet.  Calling  mine  host  to  him,  he 
winked  at  him  with  a  half  smile  and  told  him  that 
the  tinker  would  pay  the  whole  score  when  he 
awoke.  Thus  was  Master  Middle  left  in  the  lurch 
"  for  the  great  shot  to  pay." 

Nathless,  the  stranger  seemed  in  no  great  hurry. 
He  had  the  whim  to  stay  awhile  and  see  what 
the  droll  tinker  might  do  when  he  awoke.  So 
he  hid  behind  a  window  shutter,  on  the  outside, 
and  awaited  events. 

Presently  the  tinker  came  to  himself  with  a 
prodigious  yawn,  and  reached  at  once  for  another 
drink. 

"  What  were  you  saying,  friend,  about  the  best 
plan  ( ya-a-a-ah  ! )  for  catching  this  fellow  ? — 
Hello  ! — where's  the  man  gone  ?  " 


1 90  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

He  had  looked  around  and  saw  no  one  with 
him  at  the  table. 

14  Host !  host !  "  he  shouted,  "  where  is  that 
fellow  who  was  to  pay  my  reckoning  ?  " 

"  I  know  not,"  answered  the  landlord  sharply. 
"  Mayhap  he  left  the  money  in  your  purse." 

"  No  he  didn't ! "  roared  Middle,  looking 
therein.  "  Help !  help !  I've  been  robbed ! 
Look  you,  host,  you  are  liable  to  arrest  for  high 
treason !  I  am  here  upon  the  King's  business,  as  I 
told  you  earlier  in  the  day.  And  yet  while  I  did 
rest  under  your  roof,  thinking  you  were  an  honest 
man  (hie!)  and  one  loving  of  the  King,  my 
pouch  has  been  opened  and  many  matters  of  state 
taken  from  it." 

"  Cease  your  bellowing !  "  said  the  landlord. 
"  What  did  you  lose  ?  " 

"  Oh,  many  weighty  matters,  I  do  assure 
you.  I  had  with  me,  item,  a  warrant,  granted 
under  the  hand  of  my  lord  High  Sheriff  of 
Nottingham,  and  sealed  with  the  King's  own 
seal,  for  the  capture  ( hie  ! ) — and  arrest — and 
overcoming  of  a  notorious  rascal,  one  Robin 
Hood  of  Barnesdale.  Item,  one  crust  of  bread. 
Item,  one  lump  (  hie ! )  of  solder.  Item,  three 
pieces  of  twine.  Item,  six  single  keys  (  hie  !  ), 
useful  withal.  Item,  twelve  silver  pennies,  the 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      191 

which  I  earned  this  week  ( hie ! )  in  fair  labor. 
I  tern - 

"  Have  done  with  your  items  ! "  said  the  host. 
"  And  I  marvel  greatly  to  hear  you  speak  in  such 
fashion  of  your  friend,  Robin  Hood  of  Barnes- 
dale.  For  was  he  not  with  you  just  now  ?  and 
did  he  not  drink  with  you  in  all  good-fellow- 
ship ?  " 

"  Wh-a-at  ?  That  Robin  Hood  ?  "  gasped 
Middle  with  staring  eyes.  "  Why  did  you  not 
tell  me?" 

"  Faith,  /  saw  no  need  o'  telling  you  !  Did 
you  not  tell  me  the  first  time  you  were  here  to- 
day, that  I  need  not  be  surprised  if  you  came 
back  with  no  less  person  than  Robin  Hood  him- 
self?" 

"  Jesu  give  me  pardon  !  "  moaned  the  tinker. 
"  I  see  it  all  now.  He  got  me  to  drinking,  and 
then  took  my  warrant,  and  my  pennies,  and  my 
crust " 

"  Yes,  yes,"  interrupted  the  host.  "  I  know  all 
about  that.  But  pay  me  the  score  for  both  of 
you." 

"  But  I  have  no  money,  gossip.  Let  me  go 
after  that  vile  bag-o'-bones,  and  I'll  soon  get  it 
out  of  him." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  the  other.     "  If  I  waited  for 


192  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

you  to  collect  from  Robin  Hood,  I  would  soon 
close  up  shop." 

"  What  is  the  account  ?  "  asked  Middle. 

"  Ten  shillings,  just." 

"  Then  take  here  my  working-bag  and  my 
good  hammer  too  ;  and  if  I  light  upon  that  knave, 
I  will  soon  come  back  after  them." 

"  Give  me  your  leathern  coat  as  well,"  said 
mine  host ;  "  the  hammer  and  bag  of  tools  are  as 
naught  to  me." 

"  Gramercy ! "  cried  Master  Middle,  losing 
what  was  left  of  his  temper.  "  It  seems  that  I 
have  escaped  one  thief  only  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  another.  If  you  will  but  walk  with  me  out 
into  the  middle  of  the  road,  I'll  give  you  such  a 
crack  as  shall  drive  some  honesty  into  your 
thick  skull." 

"  You  are  wasting  your  breath  and  my  time," 
retorted  the  landlord.  "  Give  me  your  things, 
and  get  you  gone  after  your  man,  speedily." 

Middle  thought  this  to  be  good  advice ;  so  he 
strode  forth  from  the  "  Seven  Does  "  in  a  black 
mood. 

Ere  he  had  gone  half  a  mile,  he  saw  Robin 
Hood  walking  demurely  among  the  trees  a  little 
in  front  of  him. 

"  Ho  there,  you  villain ! "    roared   the  tinker, 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      193 

"  Stay  your  steps  !  I  am  desperately  in  need  of 
you  this  day  !  " 

Robin  turned  about  with  a  surprised  face. 

"  What  knave  is  this  ?  "  he  asked  gently,  "  who 
comes  shouting  after  me?  " 

"  No  knave  !  no  knave  at  all ! "  panted  the  other 
rushing  up.  "  But  an  honest — man — who  would 
have — that  warrant — and  the  money  for  drink  !  " 

"  Why,  as  I  live,  it  is  our  honest  tinker  who 
was  seeking  Robin  Hood  !  Did  you  find  him, 
gossip  ?  " 

"  Marry,  that  did  I  !  and  I'm  now  going  to 
pay  him  my  respects  !  " 

And  he  plunged  at  him,  making  a  sweeping 
stroke  with  his  crab-tree-cudgel. 

Robin  tried  to  draw  his  sword,  but  could  not 
do  it  for  a  moment  through  dodging  the  other's 
furious  blows.  When  he  did  get  it  in  hand,  the 
tinker  had  reached  him  thrice  with  resounding 
thwacks.  Then  the  tables  were  turned,  for  he 
dashed  in  right  manfully  with  his  shining  blade 
and  made  the  tinker  give  back  again. 

The  greenwood  rang  with  the  noise  of  the  fray. 
Twas  steel  against  wood,  and  they  made  a  ter- 
rible clattering  when  they  came  together.  Robin 
thought  at  first  that  he  could  hack  the  cudgel  to 
pieces,  for  his  blade  was  one  of  Toledo — finely 


194  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

tempered  steel  which  the  Queen  had  given  him. 
But  the  crab-tree-staff  had  been  fired  and  hard- 
ened and  seasoned  by  the  tinker's  arts  until  it 
was  like  a  bar  of  iron — no  pleasant  neighbor  for 
one's  ribs. 

Robin  presently  found  this  out  to  his  sorrow. 
The  long  reach  and  long  stick  got  to  him  when 
'twas  impossible  for  him  to  touch  his  antagonist. 
So  his  sides  began  to  ache  sorely. 

"  Hold  your  hand,  tinker,"  he  said  at  length. 
"  I  cry  a  boon  of  you." 

"  Before  I  do  it,"  said  the  tinker,  "  I'd  hang 
you  on  this  tree." 

But  even  as  he  spoke,  Robin  found  the  mo- 
ment's grace  for  which  he  longed ;  and  imme- 
diately grasped  his  horn  and  blew  the  three  well- 
known  blasts  of  the  greenwood. 

"  A  murrain  seize  you  !  "  roared  the  tinker 
commencing  afresh.  "  Up  to  your  old  tricks 
again,  are  you  ?  Well,  I'll  have  time  to  finish 
my  job,  if  I  hurry." 

But  Robin  was  quite  able  to  hold  his  own  at  a 
pinch,  and  they  had  not  exchanged  many  lunges 
and  passes  when  up  came  Little  John  and 
Will  Scarlet  and  a  score  of  yeomen  at  their  heels. 
Middle  was  seized  without  ceremony,  while  Robin 
sat  himself  down  to  breathe. 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      195 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  quoth  Little  John, 
"  that  you  should  sit  so  weariedly  upon  the  high- 
way side  ?  " 

"  Faith,  that  rascally  tinker  yonder  has  paid 
his  score  well  upon  my  hide,"  answered  Robin 
ruefully. 

"  That  tinker,  then,"  said  Little  John,  "  must 
be  itching  for  more  work.  Fain  would  I  try  if 
he  can  do  as  much  for  me." 

"  Or  me,"  said  Will  Scarlet,  who  like  Little 
John  was  always  willing  to  swing  a  cudgel. 

"  Nay,"  laughed  Robin.  "  Belike  I  could  have 
done  better,  an  he  had  given  me  time  to  pull  a 
young  tree  up  by  the  roots.  But  I  hated  to 
spoil  the  Queen's  blade  upon  his  tough  stick  or 
no  less  tough  hide.  Besides,  he  had  a  good 
quarrel  with  me.  He  had  a  warrant  for  my  ar- 
rest which  I  stole  from  him." 

"  Also,  item,  twelve  silver  pennies,"  interposed 
the  tinker,  unsubdued ;  "  item,  one  crust  of 
bread,  'gainst  my  supper.  Item,  one  lump  of 
solder.  Item,  three  pieces  of  twine.  Item,  six 
single  keys.  Item " 

"  Yes,  I  know,"  quoth  the  merry  Robin  ;  "  I 
stood  outside  the  landlord's  window  and  heard 
you  count  over  your  losses.  Here  they  are 
again ;  and  the  twelve  silver  pennies  are  turned 


196  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

by  magic  into  gold.  Here  also,  if  you  will,  is  my 
hand." 

"  I  take  it  heartily,  with  the  pence  !  "  cried 
Middle.  "  By  my  leathern  coat  and  tools,  which 
I  shall  presently  have  out  of  that  sly  host,  I 
swear  that  I  never  yet  met  a  man  1  liked  as  well 
as  you  !  An  you  and  your  men  here  will  take  me, 
I  swear  I'll  serve  you  honestly.  Do  you  want  a 
tinker  ?  Nay,  but  verily  you  must !  Who  else 
can  mend  and  grind  your  swords  and  patch  your 
pannikins — and  fight,  too,  when  occasion  serve  ? 
Mend  your  pots  !  mend  your  pa-a-ans  !  " 

And  he  ended  his  speech  with  the  sonorous 
cry  of  his  craft. 

By  this  time  the  whole  band  was  laughing  up- 
roariously at  the  tinker's  talk. 

"What  say  you,  fellows?"  asked  Robin. 
"  Would  not  this  tinker  be  a  good  recruit?  " 

"  That  he  would  !  "  answered  Will  Scarlet, 
clapping  the  new  man  on  the  back.  "  He  will 
keep  Friar  Tuck  and  Much  the  miller's  son  from 
having  the  blues." 

So  amid  great  merriment  and  right  good  fel- 
lowship the  outlaws  shook  Middle  by  the  hand, 
and  he  took  oath  of  fealty,  and  thought  no  more 
of  the  Sheriff's  daughter. 

The  words  of  the  old  ballad  which  tells  of  this 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Sought      197 

adventure  may  interest  you  here  at  the  last. 
Robin  is  ending  his  speech,  after  Master  Middle 
has  sworn  in  : — 

"  In  manhood  he's  a  mettled  man 

And  a  metal-man  by  trade ; 
Never  thought  I  that  any  man 
Should  have  made  me  so  afraid. 

"  And  if  he  will  be  one  of  us, 

We  will  take  all  one  fare  ; 
And  whatsoever  we  do  get, 

He  shall  have  his  rightful  share." 

So  the  tinker  was  content 

With  them  to  go  along, 
And  with  them  a  part  to  take  : 

And  so  I  end  my  song. 


CHAPTER  XV 

HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  WAS  TANNED  OF  THE 
TANNER 

In  Nottingham  there  lived  a  jolly  tanner, 

With  a  hey  down,  down,  a  down  down  ! 

His  name  was  Arthur-a- Bland  ; 
There  was  ne'er  a  squire  in  Nottinghamshire 

Dare  bid  bold  Arthur  stand. 

And  as  he  went  forth,  in  a  summer's  morning, 
With  a  hey  down,  down,  a  down  down  ! 

To  the  forest  of  merrie  Sherwood, 
To  view  the  red  deer,  that  range  here  and  there, 

There  met  he  with  bold  Robin  Hood. 

THE  Sheriff's  daughter  bided  for  several 
days   in  the  faint  hope  that  she  might 
hear    tidings    of    the    prattling    tinker. 
But  never  a  word  heard  she,  and  she  was  forced 
to  the  conclusion  that  her  messenger  had  not  so 
much  as  laid  eyes  upon  the  outlaw.     Little  recked 
she  that  he  was,  even  then,  grinding  sword-points 
and  sharpening  arrows   out  in  the  good  green- 
wood, while  whistling  blithely  or  chatting  merrily 
with  the  good  Friar  Tuck. 
198 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      199 

Then  she  bethought  herself  of  another  good 
man,  one  Arthur-a-Bland,  a  tanner  who  dwelt  in 
Nottingham  town  and  was  'far-famed  in  the 
tourneys  round  about.  He  had  done  some 
pretty  tricks  at  archery,  but  was  strongest  at 
wrestling  and  the  quarter-staff.  For  three  years 
he  had  cast  all  comers  to  the  earth  in  wrestling 
until  the  famous  Eric  o'  Lincoln  broke  a  rib  for 
him  in  a  mighty  tussle.  Howsoever,  at  quarter- 
staff  he  had  never  yet  met  his  match  ;  so  that 
there  was  never  a  squire  in  Nottinghamshire  dare 
bid  bold  Arthur  stand. 

With  a  long  pike-staff  on  his  shoulder, 

So  well  he  could  clear  his  way 
That  by  two  and  three  he  made  men  flee 

And  none  of  them  could  stay. 

Thus  at  least  runs  the  old  song  which  tells  of 
his  might. 

"  This  is  just  the  man  for  me  !  "  thought  the 
Sheriff's  daughter  to  herself ;  and  she  forthwith 
summoned  him  to  the  Mansion  House  and  com- 
missioned him  to  seek  out  Robin  Hood. 

The  warrant  was  quite  to  Arthur's  liking,  for 
he  was  happiest  when  out  in  the  forest  taking  a 
sly  peep  at  the  King's  deer ;  and  now  he  reck- 
oned that  he  could  look  at  them  boldly,  instead 


2OO  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

of  by  the  rays  of  the  moon.  He  could  say  to 
any  King's  Forester  who  made  bold  to  stop  him : 
"  I  am  here  on  the  King's  business  !" 

"  Gramercy !  No  more  oak-bark  and  ditch- 
water  and  the  smell  of  half-tanned  hides  to-day  !  " 
quoth  he,  gaily.  "  I  shall  e'en  see  what  the  free 
air  of  heaven  tastes  like,  when  it  sweeps  through 
the  open  wood." 

So  the  tanner  departed  joyfully  upon  his  er- 
rand, but  much  more  interested  in  the  dun  deer 
of  the  forest  than  in  any  two-legged  rovers 
therein.  This  interest  had,  in  fact,  caused  the 
Foresters  to  keep  a  shrewd  eye  upon  him  in  the 
past,  for  his  tannery  was  apt  to  have  plenty  of 
meat  in  it  that  was  more  like  venison  than  the 
law  allowed.  As  for  the  outlaws,  Arthur  bore 
them  no  ill-will ;  indeed  he  had  felt  a  secret  envy 
in  his  heart  at  their  free  life ;  but  he  was  not 
afraid  to  meet  any  two  men  who  might  come 
against  him.  Nathless,  the  Sheriff's  daughter 
did  not  choose  a  very  good  messenger,  as  you 
shall  presently  see. 

Away  sped  the  tanner,  a  piece  of  bread  and 
some  wine  in  his  wallet,  a  good  longbow  and  ar- 
rows slung  across  his  shoulder,  his  stout  quarter- 
staff  in  his  hand,  and  on  his  head  a  cap  of  trebled 
raw-hide  so  tough  that  it  would  turn  the  edge  of 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      201 

a  broadsword.  He  lost  no  time  in  getting  out  of 
the  hot  sun  and  into  the  welcome  shade  of  the 
forest,  where  he  stalked  cautiously  about  seeking 
some  sign  of  the  dun  deer. 

Now  it  so  chanced  that  upon  that  very  morn- 
ing Robin  Hood  had  sent  Little  John  to  a  neigh- 
boring village  to  buy  some  cloth  of  Lincoln 
green  for  new  suits  for  all  the  band.  Some  of 
the  money  recently  won  of  the  King  was  being 
spent  in  this  fashion,  'gainst  the  approach  of 
winter.  Will  Scarlet  had  been  sent  on  a  similar 
errand  to  Barnesdale  some  time  before,  if  you  re- 
member, only  to  be  chased  up  the  hill  without 
his  purchase.  So  to-day  Little  John  was  chosen, 
and  for  sweet  company's  sake  Robin  went  with 
him  a  part  of  the  way  until  they  came  to  the 
"  Seven  Does,"  the  inn  where  Robin  had  recently 
played  his  prank  upon  Middle  the  tinker.  Here 
they  drank  a  glass  of  ale  to  refresh  themselves 
withal,  and  for  good  luck  ;  and  Robin  tarried  a 
bit  while  Little  John  went  on  his  errand. 

Presently  Robin  entered  the  edge  of  the  wood, 
when  whom  should  he  see  but  Arthur-a-Bland, 
busily  creeping  after  a  graceful  deer  that  browsed 
alone  down  the  glade. 

"  Now  by  Saint  George  and  the  Dragon ! " 
quoth  Robin  to  himself.  "  I  much  fear  that  yon 


202  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

same  fellow  is  a  rascally  poacher  come  after  our 
own  and  the  King's  meat !  " 

For  you  must  know,  by  a  curious  process  of 
reasoning,  Robin  and  his  men  had  hunted  in  the 
royal  preserves  so  long  that  they  had  come  to 
consider  themselves  joint  owners  to  every  animal 
which  roamed  therein. 

"  Nay  !  "  he  added,  "  this  must  be  looked  into  ! 
That  cow-skin  cap  in  sooth  must  hide  a  scurvy 
varlet !  " 

And  forthwith  he  crept  behind  a  tree,  and 
thence  to  another,  stalking  our  friend  Arthur  as 
busily  as  Arthur  was  stalking  the  deer. 

This  went  on  for  quite  a  space,  until  the  tanner 
began  to  come  upon  the  deer  and  to  draw  his 
bow  in  order  to  tickle  the  victim's  ribs  with  a 
cloth-yard  shaft.  But  just  at  this  moment  Robin 
unluckily  trod  upon  a  twig  which  snapped  and 
caused  the  tanner  to  turn  suddenly. 

Robin  saw  that  he  was  discovered,  so  he 
determined  to  put  a  bold  face  on  the  matter, 
and  went  forward  with  some  smart  show  of 
authority. 

"  Hold  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  stay  your  hand !  Why, 
who  are  you,  bold  fellow,  to  range  so  boldly 
here?  In  sooth,  to  be  brief,  ye  look  like  a  thief 
that  has  come  to  steal  the  King's  deer." 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      203 

"  Marry,  it  is  scant  concern  of  yours,  what  I 
look  like  !  "  retorted  Arthur-a- Bland.  "  Who  are 
you,  who  speak  so  bravely  ?  " 

"  You  shall  soon  find  out  who  I  am ! "  quoth 
Robin,  determining  to  find  some  sport  in  the 
matter.  "  I  am  a  keeper  of  this  forest.  The 
King  knows  that  I  am  looking  after  his  deer  for 
him ;  and  therefore  we  must  stay  you." 

"  Have  you  any  assistants,  friend  ?  "  asked  the 
tanner  calmly.  "  For  it  is  not  one  man  alone 
who  can  stop  me." 

"  Nay  truly,  gossip,"  replied  Robin.  "  I  have 
a  good  yew  bow,  also  a  right  sharp  blade  at  my 
side.  Nathless  I  need  no  better  assistant  than  a 
good  oak-graff  like  unto  yours.  Give  me  a 
baker's  dozen  of  minutes  with  it  and  it  shall 
pleasure  me  to  crack  that  pate  of  yours  for  your 
sauciness  ! " 

"  Softly,  my  man !  Fair  and  softly !  Big 
words  never  killed  so  much  as  a  mouse — least  of 
all  yon  deer  which  has  got  away  while  you  were 
filling  all  the  woods  with  your  noisy  breath.  So 
choose  your  own  playthings.  For  your  sword 
and  your  bow  I  care  not  a  straw ;  nor  for  all 
your  arrows  to  boot.  If  I  get  but  a  knock  at 
you,  'twill  be  as  much  as  you'll  need." 

"  Now  by  our  Lady !     Will  you  listen  to  the 


204  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

braggart  ?  "  cried  Robin  in  a  fine  rage.  "  Marry, 
but  I'll  teach  ye  to  be  more  mannerly  !  " 

So  saying  he  unbuckled  his  belt ;  and,  flinging 
his  bow  upon  the  ground  he  seized  hold  of  a 
young  sapling  that  was  growing  near  by.  His 
hunting  knife  soon  had  it  severed  and  lopped  into 
shape. 

"  Now  come  on,  fellow !  "  said  Arthur-a-Bland, 
seeing  that  he  was  ready.  "  And  if  I  do  not  tan 
your  hide  for  you  in  better  shape  than  ever  calf- 
skin was  turned  into  top-boots,  may  a  murrain 
seize  me ! " 

"  Stay,"  said  Robin,  "  methinks  my  cudgel  is 
half  a  foot  longer  than  yours.  I  would  have  them 
of  even  length  before  you  begin  your  tanning." 

"  I  pass  not  for  length,"  bold  Arthur  replied  ; 
"  my  staff  is  long  enough,  as  you  will  shortly  find 
out.  Eight  foot  and  a-half,  and  'twill  knock 
down  a  calf  " — here  he  made  it  whistle  in  the  air 
— "  and  I  hope  it  will  knock  down  you." 

Forthwith  the  two  men  spat  on  their  hands, 
laid  firm  hold  upon  their  cudgels  and  began 
slowly  circling  round  each  other,  looking  for  an 
opening. 

Now  it  so  chanced  that  Little  John  had  fared 
expeditiously  with  his  errand.  He'had  met  the 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      205 

merchant,  from  whom  he  was  wont  to  buy  Lin- 
coln green,  coming  along  the  road ;  and  had  made 
known  his  wants  in  few  words.  The  merchant 
readily  undertook  to  deliver  the  suits  by  a  certain 
day  in  the  following  month.  So  Little  John, 
glad  to  get  back  to  the  cool  shelter  of  the  green- 
wood, hasted  along  the  road  lately  taken  by 
Robin. 

Presently  he  heard  the  sound  of  angry  voices, 
one  of  which  he  recognized  as  his  captain's. 

"  Now,  Heaven  forfend,"  quoth  he,  "  that 
Robin  Hood  has  fallen  into  the  clutches  of  a 
King's  man  !  I  must  take  a  peep  at  this  fray." 

So  he  cautiously  made  his  way  from  tree  to 
tree,  as  Robin  had  done,  till  he  came  to  the  little 
open  space  where  Robin  and  Arthur  were  cir- 
cling about  each  other  with  angry  looks,  like  two 
dogs  at  bay. 

"  Ha !  this  looks  interesting  !  "  muttered  Little 
John  to  himself,  for  he  loved  a  good  quarter-staff 
bout  above  anything  else  in  the  world,  and  was 
the  best  man  at  it  in  all  the  greenwood.  And  he 
crawled  quietly  underneath  a  friendly  bush — 
much  as  he  had  done  when  Robin  undertook  to 
teach  Will  Scarlet  a  lesson — and  chuckled  softly 
to  himself  and  slapped  his  thigh  and  prepared  to 
watch  the  fight  at  his  ease. 


206  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Indeed  it  was  both  exciting  and  laughable. 
You  would  have  chuckled  one  moment  and 
caught  your  breath  the  next,  to  see  those  two 
stout  fellows  swinging  their  sticks — each  half  as 
long  again  as  the  men  were,  and  thick  as  their 
arm — and  edging  along  sidewise,  neither  wish- 
ing to  strike  the  first  blow. 

At  last  Robin  could  no  longer  forbear,  and  his 
good  right  arm  swung  round  like  a  flash.  Ping  ! 
went  the  stick  on  the  back  of  the  other's  head, 
raising  such  a  welt  that  the  blood  came.  But  the 
tanner  did  not  seem  to  mind  it  at  all,  for  bing ! 
went  his  own  staff  in  return,  giving  Robin  as 
good  as  he  had  sent.  Then  the  battle  was  on, 
and  furiously  it  waged.  Fast  fell  the  blows,  but 
few  save  the  first  ones  landed,  being  met  in  mid- 
air by  a  counter-blow  till  the  thwacking  sticks 
sounded  like  the  steady  roll  of  a  kettle-drum  and 
the  oak-bark  flew  as  fine  as  it  had  ever  done  in 
Arthur-a-Bland's  tannery. 

Round  and  round  they  fought,  digging  their 
heels  into  the  ground  to  keep  from  slipping,  so 
that  you  would  have  vowed  there  had  been  a 
yoke  of  oxen  ploughing  a  potato-patch.  Round 
and  round,  up  and  down,  in  and  out,  their  arms 
working  like  threshing-machines,  went  the  yeo- 
man and  the  tanner,  for  a  full  hour,  each  becoming 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      207 

more  astonished  every  minute  that  the  other  was 
such  a  good  fellow.  While  Little  John  from  un- 
derneath his  bushy  covert  had  much  ado  to  keep 
from  roaring  aloud  in  pure  joy. 

Finally  Robin  saw  his  chance  and  brought  a 
full  arm  blow  straight  down  upon  the  other's 
head  with  a  force  that  would  have  felled  a  bul- 
lock. But  Arthur's  trebled  cow-skin  cap  here 
stood  him  in  good  stead :  the  blow  glanced  off 
without  doing  more  than  stunning  him.  Nath- 
less,  he  reeled  and  had  much  ado  to  keep  from 
falling  ;  seeing  which  Robin  stayed  his  hand — to 
his  own  sorrow,  for  the  tanner  recovered  his  wits 
in  a  marvelous  quick  space  and  sent  back  a  side- 
long blow  which  fairly  lifted  Robin  off  his  feet 
and  sent  him  tumbling  on  to  the  grass. 

"  Hold  your  hand !  hold  your  hand  !  "  roared 
Robin  with  what  little  breath  he  had  left. 
"  Hold,  I  say,  and  I  will  give  you  the  freedom  of 
the  greenwood." 

"  Why,  God-a-mercy,"  said  Arthur ;  "  I  may 
thank  my  staff  for  that — not  you." 

"  Well,  well,  gossip !  let  be  as  it  may.  But 
prithee  tell  me  your  name  and  trade.  I  like  to 
know  fellows  who  can  hit  a  blow  like  that  same 
last." 

"  I    am    a    tanner,"    replied   Arthur-a-Bland. 


2c8  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  In  Nottingham  long  have  I  wrought.  And  if 
you'll  come  to  me  I  swear  I'll  tan  your  hides  for 
naught." 

"  Odds  bodikins ! "  quoth  Robin  ruefully 
"  Mine  own  hide  is  tanned  enough  for  the  pres- 
ent. Howsoever,  there  be  others  in  this  wood  I 
would  fain  see  you  tackle.  Harkee,  if  you  will 
leave  your  tan-pots  and  come  with  me,  as  sure  as 
my  name  is  Robin  Hood,  you  shan't  want  gold 
or  fee." 

"  By  the  breath  o'  my  body ! "  said  Arthur, 
"  that  will  I  do  !  "  and  he  gripped  him  gladly  by 
the  hand.  4<  But  I  am  minded  that  I  clean  forgot 
the  errand  that  brought  me  to  Sherwood.  I  was 
commissioned  by  some,  under  the  Sheriff's  roof, 
to  capture  you." 

"  So  was  a  certain  tinker,  now  in  our  service," 
said  Robin  smilingly. 

"  Verily  'tis  a  new  way  to  recruit  forces  !  "  said 
the  tanner  laughing  loudly.  "  But  tell  me,  good 
Robin  Hood,  where  is  Little  John  ?  I  fain  would 
see  him,  for  he  is  a  kinsman  on  my  mother's  side." 

"  Here  am  I,  good  Arthur-a-Bland !  "  said  a 
voice ;  and  Little  John  literally  rolled  out  from 
under  the  bush  to  the  sward.  His  eyes  were  full 
of  tears  from  much  laughter  which  had  well-nigh 
left  him  powerless  to  get  on  his  feet. 


How  Robin  Hood  was  Tanned      209 

As  soon  as  the  astonished  tanner  saw  who  it 
was,  he  gave  Little  John  a  mighty  hug  around 
the  neck,  and  lifted  him  up  on  his  feet,  and  the 
two  pounded  each  other  on  the  back  soundly,  so 
glad  were  they  to  meet  again. 

"  O,  man,  man  ! "  said  Little  John  as  soon  as  he 
had  got  his  breath.  "  Never  saw  I  so  fine  a  sight 
in  all  my  born  days.  You  did  knock  him  over 
like  as  he  were  a  ninepin  !  " 

"  And  you  do  joy  to  see  me  thwacked  about 
on  the  ribs?"  asked  Robin  with  some  choler. 

"  Nay,  not  that,  master ! "  said  Little  John. 
"  But  'tis  the  second  time  I  have  had  special  tick- 
ets to  a  show  from  beneath  the  bushes,  and  I 
cannot  forbear  my  delight.  Howsoever,  take  no 
shame  unto  yourself,  for  this  same  Arthur-a- 
Bland  is  the  best  man  at  the  quarter-staff  in  all 
Nottinghamshire.  It  commonly  takes  two  or 
three  men  to  hold  him." 

"  Unless  it  be  Eric  o'  Lincoln,"  said  Arthur 
modestly ;  "  and  I  well  know  how  you  paid  him 
out  at  the  Fair." 

"  Say  no  more  !  "  said  Robin  springing  to  his 
feet ;  "  for  well  I  know  that  I  have  done  good 
business  this  day,  and  a  few  bruises  are  easy  pay- 
ment for  the  stout  cudgel  I  am  getting  into  the 
band.  Your  hand  again,  good  Arthur-a-Bland  ! 


2lo  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Come !  let  us  after  the  deer  of  which  I  spoiled 
your  stalking." 

"  Right  gladly !  "  quoth  Arthur.  "  Come, 
Cousin  Little  John !  Away  with  vats  and  tan- 
bark  and  vile-smelling  cowhides  !  I'll  follow  you 
two  in  the  sweet  open  air  to  the  very  ends  of  the 
earth ! " 


CHAPTER  XVI 

HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  MET  SIR  RICHARD  OF 
THE  LEA 

Then  answered  him  the  gentle  knight 

With  words  both  fair  and  free : 
"  God  save  thee,  my  good  Robin, 

And  all  thy  company !  " 

NOW  you  must  know  that  some  months 
passed    by.     The   winter    dragged   its 
weary  length  through  Sherwood  Forest, 
and  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men  found  what 
cheer  they  could  in  the  big  crackling  fires  before 
their  woodland  cave.     Friar  Tuck  had  built  him 
a  little  hermitage  not  far  away,  where  he  lived 
comfortably  with  his  numerous  dogs. 

The  winter,  I  say,  reached  an  end  at  last,  and 
the  blessed  spring  came — and  went.  Another 
summer  passed  on  apace,  and  still  neither  King 
nor  Sheriff  nor  Bishop  could  catch  the  outlaws, 
who,  meanwhile,  thrived  and  prospered  mightily 
in  their  outlawry.  The  band  had  been  increased 
from  time  to  time  by  picked  men  such  as  Arthur- 

211 


212  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

a-Bland  and  David  of  Doncaster — he  who  was 
the  jolliest  cobbler  for  miles  around — until  it  now 
numbered  a  full  sevenscore  of  men ;  seven  com- 
panies each  with  its  stout  lieutenant  serving  under 
Robin  Hood.  And  still  they  relieved  the  purses 
of  the  rich,  and  aided  the  poor,  and  feasted  upon 
King's  deer,  until  the  lank  Sheriff  of  Nottingham 
was  well-nigh  distracted. 

Indeed,  that  official  would  probably  have  lost 
his  office  entirely,  had  it  not  been  for  the  fact  of 
the  King's  death.  Henry  passed  away,  as  all 
kings  will,  in  common  with  ordinary  men,  and 
Richard  of  the  Lion  Heart  was  proclaimed  as  his 
successor. 

Then  Robin  and  his  men,  after  earnest  debate, 
resolved  to  throw  themselves  upon  the  mercy  of 
the  new  King,  swear  allegiance,  and  ask  to  be 
organized  into  Royal  Foresters.  So  Will  Scar- 
let and  Will  Stutely  and  Little  John  were  sent  to 
London  with  this  message,  which  they  were  first 
to  entrust  privately  to  Maid  Marian.  But  they 
soon  returned  with  bad  tidings.  The  new  King 
had  formerly  set  forth  upon  a  crusade  to  the 
Holy  Land,  and  Prince  John,  his  brother,  was 
impossible  to  deal  with — being  crafty,  cruel  and 
treacherous.  He  was  laying  his  hands  upon  all 
the  property  which  could  easily  be  seized  ;  among 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    213 

other  estates,  that  of  the  Earl  of  Huntingdon, 
Robin's  old  enemy  and  Marian's  father,  who  had 
lately  died. 

Marian  herself  was  in  sore  straits.  Not  only 
had  her  estates  been  taken  away,  and  the  maid 
been  deprived  of  the  former  protection  of  the 
Queen,  but  the  evil  Prince  John  had  persecuted 
her  with  his  attentions.  He  thought  that  since 
the  maid  was  defenseless  he  could  carry  her  away 
to  one  of  his  castles  and  none  could  gainsay 
him. 

No  word  of  this  peril  reached  Robin's  ears, 
although  his  men  brought  him  word  of  the  seizure 
of  the  Huntingdon  lands.  Nathless,  he  was 
greatly  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  Maid  Marian, 
and  his  heart  cried  out  for  her  strongly.  She 
had  been  continually  in  his  thoughts  ever  since 
the  memorable  shooting  at  London  town. 

One  morning  in  early  autumn  when  the  leaves 
were  beginning  to  turn  gold  at  the  edges,  the 
chestnut-pods  to  swell  with  promise  of  fatness, 
and  the  whole  wide  woodland  was  redolent  with 
the  ripe  fragrance  of  fruit  and  flower,  Robin  was 
walking  along  the  edge  of  a  small  open  glade 
busy  with  his  thoughts.  The  peace  of  the  woods 
was  upon  him,  despite  his  broodings  of  Marian, 
and  he  paid  little  heed  to  a  group  of  does  quietly 


214  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

feeding  among  the  trees  at  the  far  edge  of  the 
glade. 

But  presently  this  sylvan  picture  was  rudely 
disturbed  for  him.  A  stag,  wild  and  furious, 
dashed  suddenly  forth  from  among  the  trees, 
scattering  the  does  in  swift  alarm.  The  vicious 
beast  eyed  the  green-and-gold  tunic  of  Robin, 
and,  lowering  its  head,  charged  at  him  impet- 
uously. So  sudden  was  its  attack  that  Robin  had 
no  time  to  bend  his  bow.  He  sprang  behind  a 
tree  while  he  seized  his  weapon. 

A  moment  later  the  wild  stag  crashed  blindly 
into  the  tree-trunk  with  a  shock  which  sent  the 
beast  reeling  backwards,  while  the  dislodged 
leaves  from  the  shivering  tree  fell  in  a  small 
shower  over  Robin's  head. 

"  By  my  halidom,  I  am  glad  it  was  not  me  you 
struck,  my  gentle  friend!"  quoth  Robin,  fixing 
an  arrow  upon  the  string.  "  Sorry  indeed  would 
be  any  one's  plight  who  should  encounter  you  in 
this  black  humor." 

Scarcely  had  he  spoken  when  he  saw  the  stag 
veer  about  and  fix  its  glances  rigidly  on  the 
bushes  to  the  left  side  of  the  glade.  These  were 
parted  by  a  delicate  hand,  and  through  the  open- 
ing appeared  the  slight  figure  of  a  page.  It  was 
Maid  Marian,  come  back  again  to  the  greenwood  ! 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    215 

She  advanced,  unconscious  alike  of  Robin's 
horrified  gaze  and  the  evil  fury  of  the  stag. 

She  was  directly  in  line  with  the  animal,  so 
Robin  dared  not  launch  an  arrow.  Her  own 
bow  was  slung  across  her  shoulder,  and  her  small 
sword  would  be  useless  against  the  beast's  charge. 
But  now  as  she  caught  sight  of  the  stag  she 
pursed  her  lips  as  though  she  would  whistle  to  it. 

"  For  the  love  of  God,  dear  lady  !  "  cried  Robin  ; 
and  then  the  words  died  in  his  throat. 

With  a  savage  snort  of  rage,  the  beast  rushed 
at  this  new  and  inviting  target — rushed  so  swiftly 
and  from  so  short  a  distance  that  she  could  not 
defend  herself.  She  sprang  to  one  side  as  it 
charged  down  upon  her,  but  a  side  blow  from  its 
antlers  stretched  her  upon  the  ground.  The  stag 
stopped,  turned,  and  lowered  its  head  preparing 
to  gore  her  to  death. 

Already  its  cruel  horns  were  coming  straight 
for  her,  while  she,  white  of  face  and  bewildered 
by  the  sudden  attack,  was  struggling  to  rise  and 
draw  her  sword.  A  moment  more  and  the  end 
would  come.  But  the  sharp  voice  of  Robin  had 
already  spoken. 

"  Down,  Marian !  "  he  cried,  and  the  girl  in- 
stinctively obeyed,  just  as  the  shaft  from  Robin's 
bow  went  whizzing  close  above  her  head  and 


216  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

struck  with  terrific  force  full  in  the  centre  of  the 
stag's  forehead. 

The  beast  stumbled  in  its  charge  and  fell  dead, 
across  the  body  of  the  fainting  maid. 

Robin  was  quickly  by  her  side,  and  dragged 
the  beast  from  off  the  girl.  Picking  her  up  in 
his  strong  arms,  he  bore  her  swiftly  to  the  side 
of  one  of  the  many  brooks  which  watered  the 
vale. 

He  dashed  cool  water  upon  her  face,  roughly 
almost,  in  his  agony  of  fear  that  she  was  already 
dead,  and  he  could  have  shed  tears  of  joy  to  see 
those  poor,  closed  eyelids  tremble.  He  redoub- 
led his  efforts ;  and  presently  she  gave  a  little 
gasp. 

"  Where  am  I  ?     What  is't  ?  " 

"  You  are  in  Sherwood,  dear  maid,  tho',  i'  faith, 
we  gave  you  a  rude  reception  !  " 

She  opened  her  eyes  and  sat  up.  "  Methinks 
you  have  rescued  me  from  sudden  danger,  sir/' 
she  said. 

Then  she  recognized  Robin  for  the  first  time, 
and  a  radiant  smile  came  over  her  face,  together 
with  the  rare  blush  of  returned  vitality,  and  her 
head  sank  upon  his  shoulder  with  a  little  tremble 
and  sigh  of  relief. 

"  Oh,  Robin,  it  is  you  ! "  she  murmured. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    217 

"  Aye,  'tis  I.  Thank  heaven,  I  was  at  hand  to 
do  you  service  !  "  Robin's  tones  were  deep  and 
full  of  feeling.  "  I  swear,  dear  Marian,  that  I 
will  not  let  you  from  my  care  henceforth." 

Not  another  word  was  spoken  for  some  mo- 
ments, while  her  head  still  rested  confidingly 
upon  his  breast.  Then  recollecting,  he  suddenly 
cried : 

"  Gramercy,  I  make  but  a  poor  nurse  !  I  have 
not  even  asked  if  any  of  your  bones  are 
broken." 

"  No,  not  any,"  she  answered  springing  lightly 
to  her  feet  to  show  him.  "  That  foolish  dizziness 
o'ercame  me  for  the  nonce,  but  we  can  now  pro- 
ceed on  our  way." 

"  Nay,  I  meant  not  that,"  he  protested ;  "  why 
should  we  haste  ?  First  tell  me  of  the  news  in 
London  town,  and  of  yourself." 

So  she  told  him  how  that  the  Prince  had  seized 
upon  her  father's  lands,  and  had  promised  to  re- 
store them  to  her  if  she  would  listen  to  his  suit; 
and  how  that  she  knew  he  meant  her  no  good, 
for  he  was  even  then  suing  for  a  Princess's 
hand. 

"  That  is  all,  Robin,"  she  ended  simply ;  "  and 
that  is  why  I  donned  again  my  page's  costume 
and  came  to  you  in  the  greenwood." 


2l8  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Robin's  brow  had  grown  fiercely  black  at  the 
recital  of  her  wrongs ;  and  he  had  laid  stern 
hand  upon  the  hilt  of  his  sword. 

"  By  this  sword  which  Queen  Eleanor  gave 
me  !  "  he  said  impetuously ;  "  and  which  was  de- 
voted to  the  service  of  all  womankind,  I  take 
oath  that  Prince  John  and  all  his  armies  shall  not 
harm  you ! " 

So  that  is  how  Maid  Marian  came  to  take  up 
her  abode  in  the  greenwood,  where  the  whole 
band  of  yeomen  welcomed  her  gladly  and  swore 
fealty  ;  and  where  the  sweet  lady  of  Allan-a-Dale 
made  her  fully  at  home. 

But  this  was  a  day  of  deeds  in  Sherwood  For- 
est, and  we  'gan  to  tell  you  of  another  happen- 
ing which  led  to  later  events. 

While  Robin  and  Marian  were  having  their 
encounter  with  the  stag,  Little  John,  Much  the 
miller's  son,  and  Will  Scarlet  had  sallied  forth  to 
watch  the  highroad  leading  to  Barnesdale,  if  per- 
chance they  might  find  some  haughty  knight  or 
fat  priest  whose  wallet  needed  lightening. 

They  had  scarcely  watched  the  great  road 
known  as  Watling  Street — which  runs  from 
Dover  in  Kent  to  Chester  town — for  many 
minutes,  when  they  espied  a  knight  riding  by  in 
a  very  forlorn  and  careless  manner. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    219 

All  dreary  was  his  semblance, 

And  little  was  his  pride ; 
His  one  foot  in  the  stirrup  stood, 

His  other  waved  beside. 

His  visor  hung  down  o'er  his  eyes, 

He  rode  in  single  array, 
A  sorrier  man  than  he  was  one 

Rode  never  in  summer's  day. 

Little  John  came  up  to  the  knight  and  bade 
him  stay ;  for  who  can  judge  of  a  man's  wealth 
by  his  looks  ?  The  outlaw  bent  his  knee  in  all 
courtesy,  and  prayed  him  to  accept  the  hospi- 
tality of  the  forest. 

"  My  master  expects  you  to  dine  with  him,  to- 
day," quoth  he,  "  and  indeed  has  been   fasting,  < 
while  awaiting  your  coming,  these  three  hours." 

"  Who  is  your  master  ?  "  asked  the  knight. 

"  None  other  than  Robin  Hood/'  replied  Little 
John,  laying  his  hand  upon  the  knight's  bridle. 

Seeing  the  other  two  outlaws  approaching,  the 
knight  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  replied  in- 
differently. 

"  Tis  clear  that  your  invitation  is  too  urgent  to 
admit  of  refusal,"  quoth  he,  "  and  I  go  with  you 
right  willingly,  my  friends.  My  purpose  was  to 
have  dined  to-day  at  Blyth  or  Doncaster ;  but 
nothing  matters  greatly." 


22O  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

So  in  the  same  lackadaisical  fashion  which  had 
marked  all  his  actions  that  day,  the  knight 
suffered  his  horse  to  be  led  to  the  rendezvous  of 
the  band  in  the  greenwood. 

Marian  had  not  yet  had  time  to  change  her 
page's  attire,  when  the  three  escorts  of  the  knight 
hove  in  sight.  She  recognized  their  captive  as 
Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea,  whom  she  had  often  seen 
at  court ;  and  fearing  lest  he  might  recognize  her, 
she  would  have  fled.  But  Robin  asked  her,  with 
a  twinkle,  if  she  would  not  like  to  play  page  that 
day,  and  she  in  roguish  mood  consented  to 
do  so. 

"  Welcome,  Sir  Knight,"  said  Robin,  cour- 
teously. "  You  are  come  in  good  time,  for  we 
were  just  preparing  to  sit  down  to  meat." 

"  God  save  and  thank  you,  good  master  Robin," 
returned  the  knight ;  "  and  all  your  company. 
It  likes  me  well  to  break  the  fast  with  you." 

So  while  his  horse  was  cared  for,  the  knight 
laid  aside  his  own  heavy  gear,  and  laved  his  face 
and  hands,  and  sat  down  with  Robin  and  all  his 
men  to  a  most  plentiful  repast  of  venison,  swans, 
pheasants,  various  small  birds,  cakes  and  ale. 
And  Marian  stood  behind  Robin  and  filled  his 
cup  and  that  of  the  guest. 

After  eating  right  heartily  of  the  good  cheer, 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    221 

the  knight  brightened  up  greatly  and  vowed  that 
he  had  not  enjoyed  so  good  a  dinner  for  nigh 
three  weeks.  He  also  said  that  if  ever  Robin  and 
his  fellows  should  come  to  his  domains,  he  would 
strive  to  set  them  down  to  as  good  a  dinner  on 
his  own  behalf. 

But  this  was  not  exactly  the  sort  of  payment 
which  Robin  had  expected  to  receive.  He 
thanked  the  knight,  therefore,  in  set  phrase,  but 
reminded  him  that  a  yeoman  like  himself  might 
hardly  offer  such  a  dinner  to  a  knight  as  a  gift 
of  charity. 

"  I  have  no  money,  Master  Robin,"  answered 
the  knight  frankly.  "  I  have  so  little  of  the 
world's  goods,  in  sooth,  that  I  should  be  ashamed 
to  offer  you  the  whole  of  it." 

"  Money,  however  little,  always  jingles  merrily 
in  our  pockets,"  said  Robin,  smiling.  "  Pray  you 
tell  me  what  you  deem  a  little  sum." 

"  I  have  of  my  own  ten  silver  pennies,"  said 
the  knight.  "  Here  they  are,  and  I  wish  they 
were  ten  times  as  many." 

He  handed  -Little  John  his  pouch,  and  Robin 
nodded  carelessly. 

"  What  say  you  to  the  total,  Little  John  ?  "  he 
asked  as  though  in  jest. 

"  'Tis  true  enough,  as  the  worthy  knight  hath 


222  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

said,'1  responded  the  big  fellow  gravely  emptying 
the  contents  on  his  cloak. 

Robin  signed  to  Marian,  who  filled  a  bumper 
of  wine  for  himself  and  his  guest. 

"  Pledge  me,  Sir  Knight !  "  cried  the  merry  out- 
law ;  "  and  pledge  me  heartily,  for  these  sorry 
times.  I  see  that  your  armor  is  bent  and  that 
your  clothes  are  torn.  Yet  methinks  I  saw  you 
at  court,  once  upon  a  day,  and  in  more  prosper- 
ous guise.  Tell  me  now,  were  you  a  yeoman 
and  made  a  knight  by  force?  Or,  have  you 
been  a  bad  steward  to  yourself,  and  wasted  your 
property  in  lawsuits  and  the  like?  Be  not 
bashful  with  us.  We  shall  not  betray  your 
secrets." 

"I  am  a  Saxon  knight  in  my  own  right ; 
and  I  have  always  lived  a  sober  and  quiet  life," 
the  sorrowful  guest  replied.  "  'Tis  true  you  have 
seen  me  at  court,  mayhap,  for  I  was  an  excited 
witness  at  your  shooting  before  King  Harry — 
God  rest  his  bones !  My  name  is  Sir  Richard  of 
the  Lea,  and  I  dwell  in  a  castle,  not  a  league  from 
one  of  the  gates  of  Nottingham,  which  has  be- 
longed to  my  father,  and  his  father,  and  his  father's 
father  before  him.  Within  two  or  three  years  ago 
my  neighbors  might  have  told  you  that  a  matter  of 
four  hundred  pounds  one  way  or  the  other  was  as 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    223 

naught  to  me.  But  now  I  have  only  these  ten 
pennies  of  silver,  and  my  wife  and  son." 

"  In  what  manner  have  you  lost  your  riches  ?  " 
asked  Robin. 

"  Through  folly  and  kindness,"  said  the  knight, 
sighing.  "  I  went  with  King  Richard  upon  a 
crusade,  from  which  I  am  but  lately  returned,  in 
time  to  find  my  son — a  goodly  youth — grown 
up.  He  was  but  twenty,  yet  he  had  achieved  a 
squire's  training  and  could  play  prettily  in  jousts 
and  tournaments  and  other  knightly  games. 
But  about  this  time  he  had  the  ill  luck  to  push 
his  sports  too  far,  and  did  accidentally  kill  a 
knight  in  the  open  lists.  To  save  the  boy,  I  had 
to  sell  my  lands  and  mortgage  my  ancestral 
castle ;  and  this  not  being  enough,  in  the  end  I 
have  had  to  borrow  money,  at  a  ruinous  interest, 
from  my  lord  of  Hereford." 

"  A  most  worthy  Bishop,"  said  Robin  iron- 
ically. "  What  is  the  sum  of  your  debt  ?  " 

"  Four  hundred  pounds,"  said  Sir  Richard, "  and 
the  Bishop  swears  he  will  foreclose  the  mortgage 
if  they  are  not  paid  promptly." 

"  Have  you  any  friends  who  would  become 
surety  for  you  ?  " 

"  Not  one.  If  good  King  Richard  were  here, 
the  tale  might  be  otherwise." 


224  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Fill  your  goblet  again,  Sir  Knight,"  said 
Robin  ;  and  he  turned  to  whisper  a  word  in 
Marian's  ear.  She  nodded  and  drew  Little  John 
and  Will  Scarlet  aside  and  talked  earnestly  with 
them,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Here  is  health  and  prosperity  to  you,  gallant 
Robin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  tilting  his  goblet.  "  I 
hope  I  may  pay  your  cheer  more  worthily,  the 
next  time  I  ride  by." 

Will  Scarlet  and  Little  John  had  meanwhile 
fallen  in  with  Marian's  idea,  for  they  consulted 
the  other  outlaws,  who  nodded  their  heads. 
Thereupon  Little  John  and  Will  Scarlet  went  into 
the  cave  near  by  and  presently  returned  bearing  a 
bag  of  gold.  This  they  counted  out  before  the 
astonished  knight ;  and  there  were  four  times  one 
hundred  gold  pieces  in  it. 

"  Take  this  loan  from  us,  Sir  Knight,  and  pay 
your  debt  to  the  Bishop,"  then  said  Robin. 
"  Nay,  no  thanks ;  you  are  but  exchanging  cred- 
itors. Mayhap  we  shall  not  be  so  hard  upon 
you  as  the  Christian  Bishop ;  yet,  again  we  may 
be  harder.  Who  can  tell  ?  " 

There  were  actual  tears  in  Sir  Richard's  eyes, 
as  he  essayed  to  thank  the  foresters.  But  at  this 
juncture,  Much,  the  miller's  son  came  from  the 
cave  dragging  a  bale  of  cloth. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  Sir  Richard    225 

"  The  knight  should  have  a  suit  worthy  of  his 
rank,  master — think  you  not  so  ?  " 

"  Measure  him  twenty  ells  of  it,"  ordered  Robin. 

"  Give  him  a  good  horse,  also,"  whispered 
Marian.  "  Tis  a  gift  which  will  come  back  four- 
fold, for  this  is  a  worthy  man.  I  know  him  well." 

So  the  horse  was  given,  also,  and  Robin  bade 
Arthur-a-Bland  ride  with  the  knight  as  far  as  his 
castle,  as  esquire. 

The  knight  was  sorrowful  no  longer;  yet  he 
could  hardly  voice  his  thanks  through  his  broken 
utterance.  And  having  spent  the  night  in  rest, 
after  listening  to  Allan-a-Dale's  singing,  he 
mounted  his  new  steed  the  following  morning  an 
altogether  different  man. 

"  God  save  you,  comrades,  and  keep  you  all !  " 
said  he,  with  deep  feeling  in  his  tones  ;  "  and  give 
me  a  grateful  heart !  " 

"  We  shall  wait  for  you  twelve  months  from 
to-day,  here  in  this  place,"  said  Robin,  shaking 
him  by  the  hand  ;  "  and  then  you  will  repay  us 
the  loan,  if  you  have  been  prospered." 

"  I  shall  return  it  to  you  within  the  year,  upon 
my  honor  as  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea.  And  for 
all  time,  pray  count  on  me  as  a  steadfast  friend." 

So  saying  the  knight  and  his  esquire  rode 
down  the  forest  glade  till  they  were  lost  to  view. 


CHAPTER  XVII 
HOW  THE  BISHOP  WAS  DINED 

"  O  what  is  the  matter  ?  "  then  said  the  Bishop, 

"Or  foi  whom  do  you  make  this  a-do? 
Or  why  do  you  kill  the  King's  venison, 
When  your  company  is  so  few  ?  " 

"  We  are  shepherds,"  quoth  bold  Robin  Hood, 

"  And  we  keep  sheep  all  the  year, 
And  we  are  disposed  to  be  merrie  this  day, 
And  to  kill  of  the  King's  fat  deer." 

NOT  many  days  after  Sir  Richard  of  the 
Lea  came  to  Sherwood  Forest,   word 
reached    Robin   Hood's    ears  that   my 
lord  Bishop  of  Hereford  would   be   riding  that 
way  betimes  on  that  morning.     'Twas  Arthur-a- 
Bland,    the     knight's     quondam     esquire,     who 
brought  the  tidings,  and  Robin's  face  brightened 
as  he  heard  it. 

"  Now,  by  our  Lady ! "  quoth  he,  "  I  have 
long  desired  to  entertain  my  lord  in  the  green- 
wood, and  this  is  too  fair  a  chance  to  let  slip. 
Come,  my  men,  kill  me  a  venison ;  kill  me  a 
good  fat  deer.  The  Bishop  of  Hereford  is  to 
226 


How  the  Bishop  was  Dined         227 

dine  with  me  to-day,  and  he  shall  pay  well  for 
his  cheer." 

"  Shall  we  dress  it  here,  as  usual  ? "  asked 
Much,  the  miller's  son. 

"  Nay,  we  will  play  a  droll  game  on  the 
churchman.  We  will  dress  it  by  the  highway 
side,  and  watch  for  the  Bishop  narrowly,  lest  he 
should  ride  some  other  way." 

So  Robin  gave  his  orders,  and  the  main  body 
of  his  men  dispersed  to  different  parts  of  the 
forest,  under  Will  Stutely  and  Little  John,  to 
watch  other  roads ;  while  Robin  Hood  himself 
took  six  of  his  men,  including  Will  Scarlet,  and 
Much,  and  posted  himself  in  full  view  of  the 
main  road.  This  little  company  appeared  funny 
enough,  I  assure  you,  for  they  had  disguised 
themselves  as  shepherds.  Robin  had  an  old 
wool  cap,  with  a  tail  to  it,  hanging  over  his  ear, 
and  a  shock  of  hair  stood  straight  up  through  a 
hole  in  the  top.  Besides  there  was  so  much  dirt 
on  his  face  that  you  would  never  have  known 
him.  An  old  tattered  cloak  over  his  hunter's 
garb  completed  his  make-up.  The  others  were 
no  less  ragged  and  unkempt,  even  the  foppish 
Will  Scarlet  being  so  badly  run  down  at  the  heel 
that  the  court  ladies  would  hardly  have  had 
speech  with  him. 


228  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

They  quickly  provided  themselves  with  a  deer 
and  made  great  preparations  to  cook  it  over  a 
small  fire,  when  a  little  dust  was  seen  blowing 
along  the  highway,  and  out  of  it  came  the  portly 
Bishop  cantering  along  with  ten  men-at-arms  at 
his  heels.  As  soon  as  he  saw  the  fancied  shep- 
herds he  spurred  up  his  horse,  and  came  straight 
toward  them. 

"  Who  are  ye,  fellows,  who  make  so  free  with 
the  King's  deer  ?  "  he  asked  sharply. 

"  We  are  shepherds,"  answered  Robin  Hood, 
pulling  at  his  forelock  awkwardly. 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  !  Ye  seem  a  sorry  lot 
of  shepherds.  But  who  gave  you  leave  to  cease 
eating  mutton  ?  " 

"  Tis  one  of  our  feast  days,  lording,  and  we  were 
disposed  to  be  merry  this  day,  and  make  free 
with  a  deer,  out  here  where  they  are  so  many." 

"  By  my  faith,  the  King  shall  hear  of  this. 
Who  killed  yon  beast  ?  " 

"  Give  me  first  your  name,  excellence,  so  that 
I  may  speak  where  'tis  fitting,"  replied  Robin 
stubbornly. 

"  Tis  my  lord  Bishop  of  Hereford,  fellow  !  " 
interposed  one  of  the  guards  fiercely.  "  See 
that  you  keep  a  civil  tongue  in  your  head." 

"  If  'tis  a  churchman,"  retorted  Will  Scarlet, 


How  the  Bishop  was  Dined         229 

"  he  would  do  better  to  mind  his  own  flocks  rather 
than  concern  himself  with  ours." 

"  Ye  are  saucy  fellows,  in  sooth,"  cried  the 
Bishop,  "  and  we  will  see  if  your  heads  will  pay 
for  your  manners.  Come !  quit  your  stolen 
roast  and  march  along  with  me,  for  you  shall  be 
brought  before  the  Sheriff  of  Nottingham  forth- 
with." 

"  Pardon,  excellence  !  "  said  Robin,  dropping 
on  his  knees.  "  Pardon,  I  pray  you.  It  be- 
comes not  your  lordship's  coat  to  take  so  many 
lives  away." 

"  Faith,  I'll  pardon  you ! "  said  the  Bishop. 
"  I'll  pardon  you,  when  I  see  you  hanged  !  Seize 
upon  them,  my  men  !  " 

But  Robin  had  already  sprung  away  with  his 
back  against  a  tree.  And  from  underneath  his 
ragged  cloak  he  drew  his  trusty  horn  and  winded 
the  piercing  notes  which  were  wont  to  summon 
the  band. 

The  Bishop  no  sooner  saw  this  action  than  he 
knew  his  man,  and  that  there  was  a  trap  set ;  and 
being  an  arrant  coward,  he  wheeled  his  horse 
sharply  and  would  have  made  off  down  the  road  ; 
but  his  own  men,  spurred  on  the  charge,  blocked 
his  way.  At  almost  the  same  instant  the  bushes 
round  about  seemed  literally  to  become  alive 


230  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

with  outlaws.  Little  John's  men  came  from  one 
side  and  Will  Stutely's  from  the  other.  In  less 
time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  the  worthy  Bishop 
found  himself  a  prisoner,  and  began  to  crave 
mercy  from  the  men  he  had  so  lately  been  ready 
to  sentence. 

"  O  pardon,  O  pardon,"  said  the  Bishop, 

"  O  pardon,  I  you  pray. 
For  if  I  had  known  it  had  been  you, 
I'd  have  gone  some  other  way." 

"  I  owe  you  no  pardon,"  retorted  Robin,"  but 
I  will  e'en  treat  you  better  than  you  would  have 
treated  me.  Come,  make  haste,  and  go  along 
with  me.  I  have  already  planned  that  you  shall 
dine  with  me  this  day." 

So  the  unwilling  prelate  was  dragged  away, 
cheek  by  jowl,  with  the  half-cooked  venison  upon 
the  back  of  his  own  horse ;  and  Robin  and  his 
band  took  charge  of  the  whole  company  and  led 
them  through  the  forest  glades  till  they  came  to 
an  open  space  near  Barnesdale. 

Here  they  rested,  and  Robin  gave  the  Bishop 
a  seat  full  courteously.  Much  the  miller's  son 
fell  to  roasting  the  deer  afresh,  while  another  and 
fatter  beast  was  set  to  frizzle  on  the  other  side  of 
the  fire.  Presently  the  appetizing  odor  of  the 
cooking  reached  the  Bishop's  nostrils,  and  he 


How  the  Bishop  was  Dined         231 

sniffed  it  eagerly.  The  morning's  ride  had  made 
him  hungry ;  and  he  was  nothing  loath  when 
they  bade  him  come  to  the  dinner.  Robin  gave 
him  the  best  place  beside  himself,  and  the  Bishop 
prepared  to  fall  to. 

"  Nay,  my  lord,  craving  your  pardon,  but  we 
are  accustomed  to  have  grace  before  meat,"  said 
Robin  decorously.  "  And  as  our  own  chaplain 
is  not  with  us  to-day,  will  you  be  good  enough 
to  say  it  for  us  ?  " 

The  Bishop  reddened,  but  pro'nounced  grace  in 
the  Latin  tongue  hastily,  and  then  settled  him- 
self to  make  the  best  of  his  lot.  Red  wines  and 
ale  were  brought  forth  and  poured  out,  each  man 
having  a  horn  tankard  from  which  to  drink. 

Laughter  bubbled  among  the  diners,  and  the 
Bishop  caught  himself  smiling  at  more  than  one 
jest.  But  who,  in  sooth,  could  resist  a  freshly 
broiled  venison  steak  eaten  out  in  the  open  air  to 
the  tune  of  jest  and  good  fellowship  ?  Stutely 
filled  the  Bishop's  beaker  with  wine  each  time  he 
emptied  it,  and  the  Bishop  got  mellower  and 
mellower  as  the  afternoon  shades  lengthened  on 
toward  sunset.  Then  the  approaching  dusk 
warned  him  of  his  position. 

"  I  wish,  mine  host,"  quoth  he  gravely  to 
Robin,  who  had  soberly  drunk  but  one  cup  of 


232  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

ale,  "  that  you  would  now  call  a  reckoning.  Tis 
late,  and  I  fear  the  cost  of  this  entertainment  may 
be  more  than  my  poor  purse  can  stand/'" 

For  he  bethought  himself  of  his  friend,  the 
Sheriff's  former  experience. 

"  Verily,  your  lordship,"  said  Robin,  scratch- 
ing his  head,  "  I  have  enjoyed  your  company 
so  much,  that  I  scarce  know  how  to  charge 
for  it." 

"  Lend  me  your  purse,  my  lord,"  said  Little 
John,  interposing,  "  and  I'll  give  you  the  reckon- 
ing by  and  by." 

The  Bishop  shuddered.  He  had  collected  Sir 
Richard's  debt  only  that  morning,  and  was  even 
then  carrying  it  home. 

"  I  have  but  a  few  silver  pennies  of  my  own," 
he  whined ;  "  and  as  for  the  gold  in  my  saddle- 
bags, 'tis  for  the  church.  Ye  surely  would  not 
levy  upon  the  church,  good  friends." 

But  Little  John  was  already  gone  to  the  sad- 
dle-bags, and  returning  he  laid  the  Bishop's  cloak 
upon  the  ground,  and  poured  out  of  the  port- 
mantua  a  matter  of  four  hundred  glittering  gold 
pieces.  Twas  the  identical  money  which  Robin 
had  lent  Sir  Richard  a  short  while  before ! 

"  Ah  ! "  said  Robin,  as  though  an  idea  had  but 
just  then  come  to  him.  "  The  church  is  always 


How  the  Bishop  was  Dined        233 

willing  to  aid  in  chanty.  And  seeing  this  goodly 
sum  reminds  me  that  I  have  a  friend  who  is  in- 
debted to  a  churchman  for  this  exact  amount. 
Now  we  shall  charge  you  nothing  on  our  own 
account ;  but  suffer  us  to  make  use  of  this  in  aid- 
ing my  good  friend." 

"  Nay,  nay,"  began  the  Bishop  with  a  wry  face, 
"  this  is  requiting  me  ill  indeed.  Was  this  not 
the  King's  meat,  after  all,  that  we  feasted  upon  ? 
Furthermore,  I  am  a  poor  man." 

"  Poor  forsooth ! "  answered  Robin  in  scorn. 
"  You  are  the  Bishop  of  Hereford,  and  does  not 
the  whole  countryside  speak  of  your  oppression  ? 
Who  does  not  know  of  your  cruelty  to  the  poor 
and  ignorant — you  who  should  use  your  great 
office  to  aid  them,  instead  of  oppress  ?  Have 
you  not  been  guilty  of  far  greater  robbery  than 
this,  even  though  less  open  ?  Of  myself,  and 
how  you  have  pursued  me,  I  say  nothing  ;  nor 
of  your  unjust  enmity  against  my  father.  But 
on  account  of  those  you  have  despoiled  and  op- 
pressed, I  take  this  money,  and  will  use  it  far 
more  worthily  than  you  would.  God  be  my  wit- 
ness in  this  !  There  is  an  end  of  the  matter,  un- 
less you  will  lead  us  in  a  song  or  dance  to  show 
that  your  body  has  a  better  spirit  than  your  mind. 
Come,  strike  up  the  harp,  Allan  !  " 


234  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Neither  the  one  nor  the  other  will  I  do," 
snarled  the  Bishop. 

"  Faith,  then  we  must  help  you,"  said  Little 
John  ;  and  he  and  Arthur-a-Bland  seized  the  fat, 
struggling  churchman  and  commenced  to  hop 
up  and  down.  The  Bishop  being  shorter  must 
perforce  accompany  them  in  their  gyrations ; 
while  the  whole  company  sat  and  rolled  about 
over  the  ground,  and  roared  to  see  my  lord  of 
Hereford's  queer  capers.  At  last  he  sank  in  a 
heap,  fuddled  with  wine  and  quite  exhausted. 

Little  John  picked  him  up  as  though  he  were 
a  log  of  wood  and  carrying  him  to  his  horse,  set 
him  astride  facing  the  animal's  tail ;  and  thus 
fastened  him,  leading  the  animal  toward  the  high- 
road and,  starting  the  Bishop,  more  dead  than 
alive,  toward  Nottingham. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

HOW  THE  BISHOP  WENT  OUTLAW- 
HUNTING 

The  Bishop  he  came  to  the  old  woman's  house, 

And  called  with  furious  mood, 
"  Come  let  me  soon  see,  and  bring  unto  me 

That  traitor,  Robin  Hood." 

THE  easy  success  with  which  they  had 
got  the  better  of  the  good  Bishop  led 
Robin  to  be  a  little  careless.     He  thought 
that  his  guest  was  too  great  a  coward  to  venture 
back  into  the  greenwood  for  many  a  long  day ; 
and  so  after  lying  quiet  for  one  day,  the  outlaw 
ventured  boldly  upon  the  highway,  the  morning 
of  the   second.     But  he  had  gone  only  half  a 
mile  when,  turning  a  sharp  bend  in  the  road,  he 
plunged  full  upon  the  prelate  himself. 

My  lord  of  Hereford  had  been  so  deeply  smit- 
ten in  his  pride,  that  he  had  lost  no  time  in  sum- 
moning a  considerable  body  of  the  Sheriff's  men, 
offering  to  double  the  reward  if  Robin  Hood 
could  be  come  upon.  This  company  was  now  at 
235 


236  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

his  heels,  and  after  the  first  shock  of  mutual  sur- 
prise, the  Bishop  gave  an  exultant  shout  and 
spurred  upon  the  outlaw. 

It  was  too  late  for  Robin  to  retreat  by  the  way 
he  had  come,  but  quick  as  a  flash  he  sprang  to 
one  side  of  the  road,  dodged  under  some  bushes, 
and  disappeared  so  suddenly  that  his  pursuers 
thought  he  had  truly  been  swallowed  up  by 
magic. 

"  After  him  !  "  yelled  the  Bishop  ;  "  some  of 
you  beat  up  the  woods  around  him,  while  the 
rest  of  us  will  keep  on  the  main  road  and  head 
him  off  on  the  other  side  !  " 

For,  truth  to  tell,  the  Bishop  did  not  care  to 
trust  his  bones  away  from  the  highroad. 

About  a  mile  away,  on  the  other  side  of  this 
neck  of  woods,  wherein  Robin  had  been  trapped, 
was  a  little  tumbledown  cottage.  'Twas  where 
the  widow  lived,  whose  three  sons  had  been  res- 
cued. Robin  remembered  the  cottage  and  saw  his 
one  chance  to  escape. 

Doubling  in  and  out  among  the  underbrush  and 
heather  with  the  agility  of  a  hare,  he  soon  came 
out  of  the  wood  in  the  rear  of  the  cottage,  and 
thrust  his  head  through  a  tiny  window. 

The  widow,  who  had  been  at  her  spinning- 
wheel,  rose  up  with  a  cry  of  alarm. 


The  Bishop  Went  Outlaw-Hunting    237 

"  Quiet,  good  mother  !  'Tis  I,  Robin  Hood. 
Where  are  your  three  sons  ?  " 

"  They  should  be  with  you,  Robin.  Well  do 
you  know  that.  Do  they  not  owe  their  lives  to 
you  ?  " 

"  If  that  be  so,  I  come  to  seek  payment  of  the 
debt,"  said  Robin  in  a  breath.  "  The  Bishop  is 
on  my  heels  with  many  of  his  men." 

"  I'll  cheat  the  Bishop  and  all ! "  cried  the 
woman  quickly.  "  Here,  Robin,  change  your  rai- 
ment with  me,  and  we  will  see  if  my  lord  knows 
an  old  woman  when  he  sees  her." 

"  Good  !  "  said  Robin.  "  Pass  your  gray  cloak 
out  the  window,  and  also  your  spindle  and  twine ; 
and  I  will  give  you  my  green  mantle  and  every- 
thing else  down  to  my  bow  and  arrows." 

While  they  were  talking,  Robin  had  been 
nimbly  changing  clothes  with  the  old  woman, 
through  the  window,  and  in  a  jiffy  he  stood  forth 
complete,  even  to  the  spindle  and  twine. 

Presently  up  dashed  the  Bishop  and  his  men, 
and,  at  sight  of  the  cottage  and  the  old  woman, 
gave  pause.  The  crone  was  hobbling  along  with 
difficulty,  leaning  heavily  upon  a  gnarled  stick 
and  bearing  the  spindle  on  her  other  arm.  She 
would  have  gone  by  the  Bishop's  company, 
while  muttering  to  herself,  but  the  Bishop  ordered 


238  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

one  of  his  men  to  question  her.  The  soldier  laid 
his  hand  upon  her  shoulder. 

41  Mind  your  business  !  "  croaked  the  woman, 
"  or  I'll  curse  ye  !  " 

"  Come,  come,  my  good  woman,"  said  the  sol- 
dier, who  really  was  afraid  of  her  curses.  "  I'll  not 
molest  you.  But  my  lord  Bishop  of  Hereford 
wants  to  know  if  you  have  seen  aught  of  the  out- 
law, Robin  Hood  ?  " 

"  And  why  shouldn't  I  see  him  ?  "she  whined. 
"  Where's  the  King  or  law  to  prevent  good 
Robin  from  coming  to  see  me  and  bring  me  food 
and  raiment  ?  That's  more  than  my  lord  Bishop 
will  do,  I  warrant  ye  -! " 

"  Peace,  woman  !  "  said  the  Bishop  harshly. 
"  We  want  none  of  your  opinions.  But  we'll 
take  you  to  Barnesdale  and  burn  you  for  a  witch 
if  you  do  not  instantly  tell  us  when  you  last  saw 
Robin  Hood." 

"  Mercy,  good  my  lord  !  "  chattered  the  crone, 
falling  on  her  knees.  "  Robin  is  there  in  my  cot- 
tage now,  but  you'll  never  take  him  alive." 

"  We'll  see  about  that,"  cried  the  Bishop  tri- 
umphantly. "  Enter  the  cottage,  my  men.  Fire 
it,  if  need  be.  But  I'll  give  a  purse  of  gold  pieces, 
above  the  reward,  to  the  man  who  captures  the 
outlaw  alive." 


The  Bishop  Went  Outlaw-Hunting    239 

The  old  woman,  being  released,  went  on  her 
way  slowly.  But  it  might  have  been  noticed 
that  the  farther  she  got  away  from  the  company 
and  the  nearer  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  the 
swifter  and  straighter  grew  her  pace.  Once  inside 
the  shelter  of  the  forest  she  broke  into  a  run  of 
surprising  swiftness. 

"  Gadzooks  ! "  exclaimed  Little  John  who 
presently  spied  her.  "  Who  comes  here  ? 
Never  saw  I  witch  or  woman  run  so  fast.  Me- 
thinks  I'll  send  an  arrow  close  over  her  head  to 
see  which  it  is." 

"  O  hold  your  hand  !  hold  your  hand  !  "  panted 
the  supposed  woman.  "  Tis  I,  Robin  Hood. 
Summon  the  yeomen  and  return  with  me  speedily. 
We  have  still  another  score  to  settle  with  my  lord 
of  Hereford." 

When  Little  John  could  catch  his  breath  from 
laughing,  he  winded  his  horn. 

"  Now,  mistress  Robin,"  quoth  he,  grinning. 
"  Lead  on  !  We'll  be  close  to  your  heels." 

Meanwhile,  back  at  the  widow's  cottage  the 
Bishop  was  growing  more  furious  every  moment. 
For  all  his  bold  words,  he  dared  not  fire  the 
house,  and  the  sturdy  door  had  thus  far  resisted 
all  his  men's  efforts. 

"  Break  it  down  !    Break  it  down  !  "  he  shouted, 


240  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  and  let  me  soon  see  who  will  fetch  out  that 
traitor,  Robin  Hood  !  " 

At  last  the  door  crashed  in  and  the  men  stood 
guard  on  the  threshold.  But  not  one  dared  en- 
ter for  fear  a  sharp  arrow  should  meet  him  half- 
way. 

"  Here  he  is  !  "  cried  one  keen-eyed  fellow, 
peering  in.  "  I  see  him  in  the  corner  by  the 
cupboard.  Shall  we  slay  him  with  our  pikes  ?  " 

"  Nay,"  said  the  Bishop,  "  take  him  alive  if  you 
can.  We'll  make  the  biggest  public  hanging  of 
this  that  the  shire  ever  beheld." 

But  the  joy  of  the  Bishop  over  his  capture  was 
short  lived.  Down  the  road  came  striding  the 
shabby  figure  of  the  old  woman  who  had  helped 
him  set  the  trap ;  and  very  wrathy  was  she  when 
she  saw  that  the  cottage  door  had  been  battered 
in. 

"  Stand  by,  you  lazy  rascals  !  "  she  called  to  the 
soldiers.  "  May  all  the  devils  catch  ye  for  hurt- 
ing an  old  woman's  hut.  Stand  by,  I  say  ! " 

"  Hold  your  tongue ! "  ordered  the  Bishop. 
"  These  are  my  men  and  carrying  out  my 
orders." 

"  God-a-mercy ! "  swore  the  beldame  harshly. 
"  Things  have  come  to  a  pretty  pass  when  our 
homes  may  be  treated  like  common  gaols. 


The  Bishop  Went  Outlaw-Hunting    241 

Couldn't  all  your  men  catch  one  poor  forester 
without  this  ado?  Come!  clear  out,  you  and 
your  robber,  on  the  instant,  or  I'll  curse  every 
mother's  son  of  ye,  eating  and  drinking  and 
sleeping !  " 

"  Seize  on  the  hag ! "  shouted  the  Bishop,  as 
soon  as  he  could  get  in  a  word.  "  We'll  see  about 
a  witch's  cursing.  Back  to  town  she  shall  go, 
alongside  of  Robin  Hood." 

"  Not  so  fast,  your  worship !  "  she  retorted, 
clapping  her  hands. 

And  at  the  signal  a  goodly  array  of  greenwood 
men  sprang  forth  from  all  sides  of  the  cottage, 
with  bows  drawn  back  threateningly.  The  Bishop 
saw  that  his  men  were  trapped  again,  for  they 
dared  not  stir.  Nathless,  he  determined  to  make 
a  fight  for  it. 

"  If  one  of  you  but  budge  an  inch  toward  me, 
you  rascals,"  he  cried,  "  it  shall  sound  the  death 
of  your  master,  Robin  Hood  !  My  men  have 
him  here  under  their  pikes,  and  I  shall  command 
them  to  kill  him  without  mercy." 

"  Faith,  I  should  like  to  see  the  Robin  you  have 
caught,"  said  a  clear  voice  from  under  the  widow's 
cape;  and  the  outlaw  chief  stood  forth  with  bared 
head,  smilingly.  "  Here  am  I,  my  lord,  in  no 
wise  imperiled  by  your  men's  fierce  pikes.  So 


242  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

let  us  see  whom  you  have  been  guarding  so 
well" 

The  old  woman  who,  in  the  garb  of  Robin 
Hood,  had  been  lying  quiet  in  the  cottage  through 
all  the  uproar,  jumped  up  nimbly  at  this.  In  the 
bald  absurdity  of  her  disguise  she  came  to  the 
doorway  and  bowed  to  the  Bishop. 

"  Give  you  good-den,  my  lord  Bishop,"  she 
piped  in  a  shrill  voice ;  "  and  what  does  your 
Grace  at  my  humble  door?  Do  you  come  to 
bless  me  and  give  me  alms  ?  " 

"Aye,  that  does  he,"  answered  Robin.  "  We 
shall  see  if  his  saddle-bags  contain  enough  to  pay 
you  for  that  battered  door." 

"  Now  by  all  the  saints "  began  the  Bishop. 

"  Take  care ;  they  are  all  watching  you,"  inter- 
rupted Robin ;  "  so  name  them  not  upon  your 
unchurchly  lips.  But  I  will  trouble  you  to  hand 
over  that  purse  of  gold  you  had  saved  to  pay  for 
my  head. " 

"  I'll  see  you  hanged  first !  "  raged  the  Bishop, 
stating  no  more  than  what  would  have  been  so, 
if  he  could  do  the  ordering  of  things.  "  Have 
at  them,  my  men,  and  hew  them  down  in  their 
tracks  ! " 

"  Hold  !  "  retorted  Robin.  "  See  how  we  have 
you  at  our  mercy."  And  aiming  a  sudden  shaft 


The  Bishop  Went  Outlaw-Hunting    243 

he  shot  so  close  to  the  Bishop's  head  that  it  car- 
ried away  both  his  hat  and  the  skull-cap  which 
he  always  wore,  leaving  him  quite  bald. 

The  prelate  turned  as  white  as  his  shiny  head 
and  clutched  wildly  at  his  ears.  He  thought 
himself  dead  almost. 

"  Help !  murder !  "  he  gasped.  "  Do  not  shoot 
again  !  Here's  your  purse  of  gold  !  " 

And  without  waiting  for  further  parley  he 
fairly  bolted  down  the  road. 

His  men  being  left  leaderless  had  nothing  for 
it  but  to  retreat  after  him,  which  they  did  in 
sullen  order,  covered  by  the  bows  of  the  yeomen. 
And  thus  ended  the  Bishop  of  Hereford's  great 
outlaw-hunt  in  the  forest. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

HOW  THE  SHERIFF  HELD  ANOTHER 
SHOOTING  MATCH 

"  To  tell  the  truth,  I'm  well  informed 

Yon  match  it  is  a  wile ; 
The  Sheriff,  I  wis,  devises  this 
Us  archers  to  beguile." 

NOW  the  Sheriff  was  so  greatly  troubled 
in    heart   over   the   growing  power  of 
Robin  Hood,  that  he  did  a  very  foolish 
thing.     He    went   to    London    town    to  lay  his 
troubles  before  the  King  and  get  another  force  of 
troops  to  cope  with  the  outlaws.     King  Richard 
was   not  yet  returned  from  the  Holy  Land,  but 
Prince  John  heard  him  with  scorn. 

"  Pooh !  "  said  he,  shrugging  his  shoulders. 
"What  have  I  to  do  with  all  this  ?  Art  thou  not 
sheriff  for  me  ?  The  law  is  in  force  to  take  thy 
course  of  them  that  injure  thee.  Go,  get  thee 
gone,  and  by  thyself  devise  some  tricking  game 
to  trap  these  rebels ;  and  never  let  me  see  thy 
244 


Another  Shooting  Match  245 

face  at  court  again  until  thou  hast  a  better  tale  to 
tell." 

So  away  went  the  Sheriff  in  sorrier  pass  than 
ever,  and  cudgeled  his  brain,  on  the  way  home, 
for  some  plan  of  action. 

His  daughter  met  him  on  his  return  and  saw  at 
once  that  he  had  been  on  a  poor  mission.  She 
was  minded  to  upbraid  him  when  she  learned 
what  he  had  told  the  Prince.  But  the  words  of 
the  latter  started  her  to  thinking  afresh. 

"  I  have  it !  "  she  exclaimed  at  length.  "  Why 
should  we  not  hold  another  shooting-match  ? 
'Tis  Fair  year,  as  you  know,  and  another  tourney 
will  be  expected.  Now  we  will  proclaim  a  gen- 
eral amnesty,  as  did  King  Harry  himself,  and  say 
that  the  field  is  open  and  unmolested  to  all 
comers.  Belike  Robin  Hood's  men  will  be 
tempted  to  twang  the  bow,  and  then " 

"  And  then,"  said  the  Sheriff  jumping  up  with 
alacrity,  "  we  shall  see  on  which  side  of  the  gate 
they  stop  over-night !  " 

So  the  Sheriff  lost  no  time  in  proclaiming  a 
tourney,  to  be  held  that  same  Fall  at  the  Fair. 
It  was  open  to  all  comers,  said  the  proclamation, 
and  none  should  be  molested  in  their  going  and 
coming.  Furthermore,  an  arrow  with  a  golden 
head  and  shaft  of  silver-white  should  be  given  to  the 


246  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

winner,  who  would  be  heralded  abroad  as  the 
finest  archer  in  all  the  North  Countree.  Also, 
many  rich  prizes  were  to  be  given  to  other  clever 
archers. 

These  tidings  came  in  due  course  to  Robin 
Hood,  under  the  greenwood  tree,  and  fired  his 
impetuous  spirit. 

"  Come,  prepare  ye,  my  merry  men  all,"  quoth 
he,  "  and  we'll  go  to  the  Fair  and  take  some  part 
in  this  sport." 

With  that  stepped  forth  the  merry  cobbler, 
David  of  Doncaster. 

"  Master,"  quoth  he,  "  be  ruled  by  me  and  stir 
not  from  the  greenwood.  To  tell  the  truth,  I'm 
well  informed  yon  match  is  naught  but  a  trap.  I 
wis  the  Sheriff  has  devised  it  to  beguile  us 
archers  into  some  treachery." 

"  That  word  savors  of  the  coward,"  replied 
Robin,  "  and  pleases  me  not.  Let  come  what 
will,  I'll  try  my  skill  at  that  same  archery." 

Then  up  spoke  Little  John  and  said :  "  Come, 
listen  to  me  how  it  shall  be  that  we  will  not  be 
discovered. 

"  Our  mantles  all  of  Lincoln-green 

Behind  us  we  will  leave  j 
We'll  dress  us  all  so  several, 
They  shaU  not  us  perceive. 


Another  Shooting  Match  247 

"  One  shall  wear  white,  anotner  red. 

One  yellow,  another  blue ; 

Thus  in  disguise  to  the  exercise 

We'll  go,  whate'er  ensue." 

This  advice  met  with  general  favor  from  the 
adventurous  fellows,  and  they  lost  no  time  in  put- 
ting it  into  practice.  Maid  Marian  and  Mistress 
Dale,  assisted  by  Friar  Tuck,  prepared  some  vari- 
colored costumes,  and  'gainst  the  Fair  day  had 
fitted  out  the  sevenscore  men  till  you  would 
never  have  taken  them  for  other  than  villagers 
decked  for  the  holiday. 

And  forth  went  they  from  the  greenwood, 
with  hearts  all  firm  and  stout,  resolved  to  meet 
the  Sheriff's  men  and  have  a  merry  bout.  Along 
the  highway  they  fell  in  with  many  other  bold  fel- 
lows from  the  countryside,  going  with  their 
ruddy-cheeked  lasses  toward  the  wide-open  gates 
of  Nottingham. 

So  in  through  the  gates  trooped  the  whole  gay 
company,  Robin's  men  behaving  as  awkwardly 
and  laughing  and  talking  as  noisily  as  the  rest ; 
while  the  Sheriff's  scowling  men-at-arms  stood 
round  about  and  sought  to  find  one  who  looked 
like  a  forester,  but  without  avail. 

The  herald  now  set  forth  the  terms  of  the  con- 
test, as  on  former  occasions,  and  the  shooting 


248  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

presently  began.  Robin  had  chosen  five  of  his 
men  to  shoot  with  him,  and  the  rest  were  to 
mingle  with  the  crowd  and  also  watch  the  gates. 
These  five  were  Little  John,  Will  Scarlet,  Will 
Stutely,  Much,  and  Allan-a-Dale. 

The  other  competitors  made  a  brave  showing 
on  the  first  round,  especially  Gilbert  of  the  White 
Hand,  who  was  present  and  never  shot  better. 
The  contest  later  narrowed  down  between  Gil- 
bert and  Robin.  But  at  the  first  lead,  when  the 
butts  were  struck  so  truly  by  various  well  known 
archers,  the  Sheriff  was  in  doubt  whether  to  feel 
glad  or  sorry.  He  was  glad  to  see  such  skill,  but 
sorry  that  the  outlaws  were  not  in  it. 

Some  said,  "  If  Robin  Hood  were  here, 

And  all  his  men  to  boot, 
Sure  none  of  them  could  pass  these  men, 

So  bravely  do  they  shoot." 

"  Aye,"  quoth  the  Sheriff,  and  scratched  his  head, 

"  I  thought  he  would  be  here  ; 
I  thought  he  would,  but  tho'  he's  bold, 
He  durst  not  now  appear." 

This  word  was  privately  brought  to  Robin  by 
David  of  Doncaster,  and  the  saying  vexed  him 
sorely.  But  he  bit  his  lip  in  silence. 

"  Ere  long,"  he  thought  to  himself,  "  we  shall 
see  whether  Robin  Hood  be  here  or  not ! " 


Another  Shooting  Match  249 

Meantime  the  shooting  had  been  going  for- 
ward, and  Robin's  men  had  done  so  well  that  the 
air  was  filled  with  shouts. 

One  cried,  "  Blue  jacket  !  "  another  cried,  "  Brown !  " 
And  a  third  cried,  "  Brave  Yellow  !  " 

But  the  fourth  man  said,  "  Yon  man  in  red 
In  this  place  has  no  fellow." 

For  that  was  Robin  Hood  himself, 

For  he  was  clothed  in  red  ; 
At  every  shot  the  prize  he  got, 

For  he  was  both  sure  and  dead. 

Thus  went  the  second  round  of  the  shooting, 
and  thus  the  third  and  last,  till  even  Gilbert  of 
the  White  Hand  was  fairly  beaten.  During  all 
this  shooting,  Robin  exchanged  no  word  with  his 
men,  each  treating  the  other  as  a  perfect  stranger. 
Nathless,  such  great  shooting  could  not  pass 
without  revealing  the  archers. 

The  Sheriff  thought  he  discovered,  in  the  win- 
ner of  the  golden  arrow,  the  person  of  Robin 
Hood  without  peradventure.  So  he  sent  word 
privately  for  his  men-at-arms  to  close  round  the 
group.  But  Robin's  men  also  got  wind  of  the 
plan. 

To  keep  up  appearances,  the  Sheriff  sum- 
moned the  crowd  to  form  in  a  circle ;  and  after  as 
much  delay  as  possible  the  arrow  was  presented. 


250  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  delay  gave  time  enough  for  the  soldiers  to 
close  in.  As  Robin  received  his  prize,  bowed 
awkwardly  and  turned  away,  the  Sheriff,  letting 
his  zeal  get  the  better  of  his  discretion,  grasped 
him  about  the  neck  and  called  upon  his  men  to 
arrest  the  traitor. 

But  the  moment  the  Sheriff  touched  Robin,  he 
received  such  a  buffet  on  the  side  of  his  head 
that  he  let  go  instantly  and  fell  back  several 
paces.  Turning  to  see  who  had  struck  him,  he 
recognized  Little  John. 

"  Ah,  rascal  Greenleaf,  I  have  you  now !  "  he 
exclaimed  springing  at  him.  Just  then,  however, 
he  met  a  new  check. 

"  This  is  from  another  of  your  devoted  serv- 
ants !  "  said  a  voice  which  he  knew  to  be  that  of 
Much  the  miller's  son  ;  and  "  Thwack  !  "  went  his 
open  palm  upon  the  Sheriff's  cheek  sending  that 
worthy  rolling  over  and  over  upon  the  ground. 

By  this  time  the  conflict  had  become  general, 
but  the  Sheriff's  men  suffered  the  disadvantage 
of  being  hampered  by  the  crowd  of  innocent  on- 
lookers, whom  they  could  not  tell  from  the  out- 
laws and  so  dared  not  attack ;  while  the  other 
outlaws  in  the  rear  fell  upon  them  and  put  them 
in  confusion. 

For  a  moment  a  fierce  rain  of  blows  ensued ; 


Another  Shooting  Match  251 

then  the  clear  bugle-note  from  Robin  ordered  a 
retreat.  The  two  warders  at  the  nearest  gate 
tried  to  close  it,  but  were  shot  dead  in  their 
tracks.  David  of  Doncaster  threw  a  third  soldier 
into  the  moat ;  and  out  through  the  gate  went 
the  foresters  in  good  order,  keeping  a  respectful 
distance  between  themselves  and  the  advancing 
soldiery,  by  means  of  their  well-directed  shafts. 

But  the  fight  was  not  to  go  easily  this  day,  for 
the  soldiery,  smarting  from  their  recent  dis- 
comfiture at  the  widow's  cottage,  and  knowing 
that  the  eyes  of  the  whole  shire  were  upon  them, 
fought  well,  and  pressed  closely  after  the  retreat- 
ing outlaws.  More  than  one  ugly  wound  was 
given  and  received.  No  less  than  five  of  the 
Sheriff's  men  were  killed  outright,  and  a  dozen 
others  injured ;  while  four  of  Robin's  men  were 
bleeding  from  severe  flesh  cuts. 

Then  Little  John,  who  had  fought  by  the  side 
of  his  chief,  suddenly  fell  forward  with  a  slight 
moan.  An  arrow  had  pierced  his  knee.  Robin 
seized  the  big  fellow  with  almost  superhuman 
strength. 

Up  he  took  him  on  his  back, 

And  bare  him  well  a  mile ; 
Many  a  time  he  laid  him  down, 

And  shot  another  while. 


252  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Meanwhile  Little  John  grew  weaker  and  closed 
his  eyes ;  at  last  he  sank  to  the  ground,  and 
feebly  motioned  Robin  to  let  him  lie. 

"  Master  Robin,"  said  he,  "  have  I  not  served 
you  well,  ever  since  we  met  upon  the  bridge  ?  " 

"  Truer  servant  never  man  had,"  answered 
Robin. 

"  Then  if  ever  you  loved  me,  and  for  the  sake 
of  that  service,  draw  your  bright  brown  sword 
and  strike  off  my  head ;  never  let  me  fall  alive 
into  the  hand  of  the  Sheriff  of  Nottingham." 

"  Not  for  all  the  gold  in  England  would  I  do 
either  of  the  things  you  suggest." 

"  God  forbid  !  "  cried  Arthur-a-Bland,  hurrying 
to  the  rescue.  And  packing  his  wounded  kins- 
man upon  his  own  broad  shoulders,  he  soon 
brought  him  within  the  shelter  of  the  forest. 

Once  there,  the  Sheriff's  men  did  not  follow ; 
and  Robin  caused  litters  of  boughs  to  be  made 
for  Little  John  and  the  other  four  wounded  men. 
Quickly  were  they  carried  through  the  wood  un- 
til the  hermitage  of  Friar  Tuck  was  reached, 
where  their  wounds  were  dresssd.  Little  John's 
hurt  was  pronounced  to  be  the  most  serious  of 
any,  but  he  was  assured  that  in  two  or  three 
weeks'  time  he  could  get  about  again  ;  whereat 
the  active  giant  groaned  mightily. 


Another  Shooting  Match  253 

That  evening  consternation  came  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  band.  A  careful  roll-call  was  taken 
to  see  if  all  the  yeomen  had  escaped,  when  it 
was  found  that  Will  Stutely  was  missing,  and 
Maid  Marian  also  was  nowhere  to  be  found. 
Robin  was  seized  with  dread.  He  knew  that 
Marian  had  gone  to  the  Fair,  but  felt  that  she 
would  hardly  come  to  grief.  Her  absence,  how- 
ever, portended  some  danger,  and  he  feared  that 
it  was  connected  with  Will  Stutely.  The  Sheriff 
would  hang  him  speedily  and  without  mercy,  if 
he  were  captured. 

The  rest  of  the  band  shared  their  leader's  un- 
easiness, though  they  said  no  word.  They  knew 
that  if  Will  were  captured,  the  battle  must  be 
fought  over  again  the  next  day,  and  Will  must 
be  saved  at  any  cost.  But  no  man  flinched  from 
the  prospect. 

That  evening,  while  the  Sheriff  and  his  wife 
and  daughter  sat  at  meat  in  the  Mansion  House, 
the  Sheriff  boasted  of  how  he  would  make  an 
example  of  the  captured  outlaw ;  for  Stutely  had 
indeed  fallen  into  his  hands. 

"  He  shall  be  strung  high,"  he  said,  in  a  loud 
voice ;  "  and  none  shall  dare  lift  a  finger.  I  now 
have  Robin  Hood's  men  on  the  run,  and  we 


254  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

shall  soon  see  who  is  master  in  this  shire.  I  am 
only  sorry  that  we  let  them  have  the  golden 
arrow." 

As  he  spoke  a  missive  sped  through  a  win- 
dow and  fell  clattering  upon  his  plate,  causing 
him  to  spring  back  in  alarm. 

It  was  the  golden  arrow,  and  on  its  feathered 
shaft  was  sewed  a  little  note  which  read : 

"  This  from  one  who  will  take  no  gifts  from 
liars;  and  who  henceforth  will  show  no  mercy. 
Look  well  to  yourself.  R.  H." 


CHAPTER  XX 
HOW  WILL  STUTELY  WAS  RESCUED 

Forth  of  the  greenwood  are  they  gone, 

Yea,  all  courageously, 
Resolving  to  bring  Stutely  home, 

Or  every  man  to  die. 

THE  next  day  dawned  bright  and  sunny. 
The  whole  face  of  nature  seemed  gay  as 
in  despite  of  the  tragedy  which  was 
soon  to  take  place  in  the  walls  of  Nottingham 
town.  The  gates  were  not  opened  upon  this 
day,  for  the  Sheriff  was  determined  to  carry 
through  the  hanging  of  Will  Stutely  undis- 
turbed. No  man,  therefore,  was  to  be  allowed 
entrance  from  without,  all  that  morning  and  un- 
til after  the  fatal  hour  of  noon,  when  Will's  soul 
was  to  be  launched  into  eternity. 

Early  in  the  day  Robin  had  drawn  his  men  to 
a  point,  as  near  as  he  dared,  in  the  woods  where 
he  could  watch  the  road  leading  to  the  East  gate. 
He  himself  was  clad  in  a  bright  scarlet  dress, 
while  his  men,  a  goodly  array,  wore  their  suits  of 
255 


256  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

sober  Lincoln  green.  They  were  armed  with 
broadswords,  and  each  man  carried  his  bow  and 
a  full  quiver  of  new  arrows,  straightened  and 
sharpened  cunningly  by  Middle,  the  tinker. 
Over  their  greenwood  dress,  each  man  had 
thrown  a  rough  mantle,  making  him  look  not 
unlike  a  friar. 

"  I  hold  it  good,  comrades,"  then  said  Robin 
Hood,  "  to  tarry  here  in  hiding  for  a  season  while 
we  send  some  one  forth  to  obtain  tidings.  For, 
in  sooth,  'twill  work  no  good  to  march  upon  the 
gates  if  they  be  closed." 

"  Look,  master,"  quoth  one  of  the  widow's  sons. 
"  There  comes  a  palmer  along  the  road  from  the 
town.  Belike  he  can  tell  us  how  the  land  lies, 
and  if  Stutely  be  really  in  jeopardy.  Shall  I  go 
out  and  engage  him  in  speech  ?  " 

"  Go,"  answered  Robin. 

So  Stout  Will  went  out  from  the  band  while 
the  others  hid  themselves  and  waited.  When  he 
had  come  close  to  the  palmer,  who  seemed  a 
slight,  youngish  man,  he  doffed  his  hat  full 
courteously  and  said, 

"  I  crave  your  pardon,  holy  man,  but  can  you 
tell  me  tidings  of  Nottingham  town?  Do  they 
intend  to  put  an  outlaw  to  death  this  day  ?  " 

"  Yea,"  answered  the  palmer  sadly.     "  Tis  true 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     257 

enough,  sorry  be  the  day.  I  have  passed  the 
very  spot  where  the  gallows-tree  is  going  up. 
Tis  out  upon  the  roadway  near  the  Sheriff's  cas- 
tle. One,  Will  Stutely,  is  to  be  hung  thereon  at 
noon,  and  I  could  not  bear  the  sight,  so  came 
away." 

The  palmer  spoke  in  a  muffled  voice ;  and  as 
his  hood  was  "pulled  well  over  his  head,  Stout 
Will  could  not  discern  what  manner  of  man  he 
was.  Over  his  shoulder  he  carried  a  long  staff, 
with  the  fashion  of  a  little  cross  at  one  end ;  and 
he  had  sandaled  feet  like  any  monk.  Stout  Will 
noticed  idly  that  the  feet  were  very  small  and 
white,  but  gave  no  second  thought  to  the 
matter. 

"  Who  will  shrive  the  poor  wretch,  if  you  have 
come  away  from  him  ? "  he  asked  reproach- 
fully. 

The  question  seemed  to  put  a  new  idea  into 
the  palmer's  head.  He  turned  so  quickly  that  he 
almost  dropped  his  hood. 

"  Do  you  think  that  I  should  undertake  this 
holy  office?" 

"  By  Saint  Peter  and  the  Blessed  Virgin,  I  do 
indeed  !  Else,  who  will  do  it  ?  The  Bishop  and 
all  his  whining  clerks  may  be  there,  but  not  one 
would  say  a  prayer  for  his  soul." 


258  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  But  I  am  only  a  poor  palmer,"  the  other  be- 
gan hesitatingly. 

u  Nathless,  your  prayers  are  as  good  as  any  and 
better  than  some,"  replied  Will. 

"  Right  gladly  would  I  go,"  then  said  the 
palmer ;  "  but  I  fear  me  I  cannot  get  into  the 
city.  You  may  know  that  the  gates  are  fast 
locked,  for  this  morning,  to  all  who  would  come 
in,  although  they  let  any  pass  out  who  will." 

"  Come  with  me,"  said  Stout  Will,  "  and  my 
master  will  see  that  you  pass  through  the  gates." 

So  the  palmer  pulled  his  cloak  still  closer 
about  him  and  was  brought  before  Robin  Hood, 
to  whom  he  told  all  he  knew  of  the  situation. 
He  ended  with, 

"  If  I  may  make  so  bold,  I  would  not  try  to 
enter  the  city  from  this  gate,  as  'tis  closely 
guarded  since  yesterday.  But  on  the  far  side,  no 
attack  is  looked  for." 

"  My  thanks,  gentle  palmer,"  quoth  Robin, 
"  your  suggestion  is  good,  and  we  will  deploy  to 
the  gate  upon  the  far  side." 

So  the  men  marched  silently  but  quickly  until 
they  were  near  to  the  western  gate.  Then  Arthur- 
a-Bland  asked  leave  to  go  ahead  as  a  scout,  and 
quietly  made  his  way  to  a  point  under  the  tower 
by  the  gate.  The  moat  was  dry  on  this  side,  as 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     259 

these  were  times  of  peace,  and  Arthur  was  further 
favored  by  a  stout  ivy  vine  which  grew  out  from 
an  upper  window. 

Swinging  himself  up  boldly  by  means  of  this 
friendly  vine,  he  crept  through  the  window  and 
in  a  moment  more  had  sprung  upon  the  warder 
from  behind  and  gripped  him  hard  about  the 
throat.  The  warder  had  no  chance  to  utter  the 
slightest  sound,  and  soon  lay  bound  and  gagged 
upon  the  floor;  while  Arthur-a-Bland  slipped 
himself  into  his  uniform  and  got  hold  of  his 
keys. 

'Twas  the  work  of  but  a  few  moments  more  to 
open  the  gates,  let  down  the  bridge,  and  admit 
the  rest  of  the  band;  and  they  got  inside  the 
town  so  quietly  that  none  knew  of  their  coming. 
Fortune  also  favored  them  in  the  fact  that  just  at 
this  moment  the  prison  doors  had  been  opened 
for  the  march  of  the  condemned  man,  and  every 
soldier  and  idle  lout  in  the  market-place  had 
trooped  thither  to  see  him  pass  along. 

Presently  out  came  Will  Stutely  with  firm  step 
but  dejected  air.  He  looked  eagerly  to  the  right 
hand  and  to  the  left,  but  saw  none  of  the  band. 
And  though  more  than  one  curious  face  betrayed 
friendship  in  it,  he  knew  there  could  be  no  aid 
from  such  source. 


260  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

Will's  hands  were  tied  behind  his  back.  He 
marched  between  rows  of  soldiery,  and  the  Sheriff 
and  the  Bishop  brought  up  the  rear  on  horses, 
looking  mightily  puffed  up  and  important  over 
the  whole  proceeding.  He  would  show  these 
sturdy  rebels — would  the  Sheriff — whose  word 
was  law  !  He  knew  that  the  gates  were  tightly 
fastened ;  and  further  he  believed  that  the  out- 
laws would  hardly  venture  again  within  the  walls, 
even  if  the  gates  were  open.  And  as  he  looked 
around  at  the  fivescore  archers  and  pikemen  who 
lined  the  way  to  the  gallows,  he  smiled  with  grim 
satisfaction. 

Seeing  that  no  help  was  nigh,  the  prisoner 
paused  at  the  foot  of  the  scaffold  and  spoke  in  a 
firm  tone  to  the  Sheriff. 

"  My  lord  Sheriff,"  quoth  he,  "  since  I  must 
needs  die,  grant  me  one  boon ;  for  my  noble 
master  ne'er  yet  had  a  man  that  was  hanged  on 
a  tree : 

"  Give  me  a  sword  all  in  my  hand, 

And  let  me  be  unbound, 
And  with  thee  and  thy  men  will  T  fight 

Till  I  lie  dead  on  the  ground." 

But  the  Sheriff  would  by  no  means  listen  to  his 
request ;  but  swore  that  he  should  be  hanged  a 
shameful  death,  and  not  die  by  the  sword  valiantly. 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     261 

"  O  no,  no,  no,"  the  Sheriff  said, 

"Thou  shalt  on  the  gallows  die, 
Aye,  and  so  shall  thy  master  too, 

If  ever  it  in  me  lie." 

"  O  dastard  coward  !  "  Stutely  cried, 

"  Faint-hearted  peasant  slave ! 
If  ever  my  master  do  thee  meet, 

Thou  shalt  thy  payment  have. 

"  My  noble  master  thee  doth  scorn, 

And  all  thy  cowardly  crew; 
Such  silly  imps  unable  are 

Bold  Robin  to  subdue." 

This  brave  speech  was  not  calculated  to  soothe 
the  Sheriff.  "  To  the  gallows  with  him ! "  he 
roared,  giving  a  sign  to  the  hangman ;  and 
Stutely  was  pushed  into  the  rude  cart  which  was 
to  bear  him  under  the  gallows  until  his  neck  was 
leashed.  Then  the  cart  would  be  drawn  roughly 
away  and  the  unhappy  man  would  swing  out 
over  the  tail  of  it  into  another  world. 

But  at  this  moment  came  a  slight  interruption. 
A  boyish-looking  palmer  stepped  forth,  and  said  : 

"  Your  Excellency,  let  me  at  least  shrive  this 
poor  wretch's  soul  ere  it  be  hurled  into  eternity." 

"  No ! "  shouted  the  Sheriff,  "  let  him  die  a 
dog's  death  !  " 

"  Then  his  damnation  will  rest  upon  you,"  said 


262  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

the  monk  firmly.  "  You,  my  lord  Bishop,  can- 
not stand  by  and  see  this  wrong  done." 

The  Bishop  hesitated.  Like  the  Sheriff,  he 
wanted  no  delay  ;  but  the  people  were  beginning 
to  mutter  among  themselves  and  move  about 
uneasily.  He  said  a  few  words  to  the  Sheriff,  and 
the  latter  nodded  to  the  monk  ungraciously. 

"  Perform  your  duty,  Sir  Priest,"  quoth  he, 
"  and  be  quick  about  it !  "  Then  turning  to  his 
soldiers.  "  Watch  this  palmer  narrowly,"  he  com- 
manded. "  Belike  he  is  in  league  with  those  ras- 
cally outlaws." 

But  the  palmer  paid  no  heed  to  his  last  words. 
He  began  to  tell  his  beads  quickly,  and  to  speak 
in  a  low  voice  to  the  condemned  man.  But  he 
did  not  touch  his  bonds. 

Then  came  another  stir  in  the  crowd,  and  one 
came  pushing  through  the  press  of  people  and 
soldiery  to  come  near  to  the  scaffold. 

"  I  pray  you,  Will,  before  you  die,  take  leave 
of  all  your  friends  ! "  cried  out  the  well-known 
voice  of  Much,  the  miller's  son. 

At  the  word  the  palmer  stepped  back  suddenly 
and  looked  to  one  side.  The  Sheriff  also  knew 
the  speaker. 

"  Seize  him  !  "  he  shouted.  "  'Tis  another  of  the 
crew.  He  is  the  villain  cook  who  once  did  rob 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     263 

me  of  my  silver  plate.  We'll  make  a  double 
hanging  of  this  !  " 

"  Not  so  fast,  good  master  Sheriff,"  retorted 
Much.  "  First  catch  your  man  and  then  hang 
him.  But  meanwhile  I  would  like  to  borrow  my 
friend  of  you  awhile." 

And  with  one  stroke  of  his  keen  hunting-knife 
he  cut  the  bonds  which  fastened  the  prisoner's 
arms,  and  Stutely  leaped  lightly  from  the  cart. 

"  Treason  !  "  screamed  the  Sheriff,  getting  black 
with  rage.  "  Catch  the  varlets  !  " 

So  saying  he  spurred  his  horse  fiercely  forward, 
and  rising  in  his  stirrups  brought  down  his  sword 
with  might  and  main  at  Much's  head.  But  his 
former  cook  dodged  nimbly  underneath  the  horse 
and  came  up  on  the  other  side,  while  the  weapon 
whistled  harmlessly  in  the  air. 

"  Nay,  Sir  Sheriff! "  he  cried,  "  I  must  e'en  bor- 
row your  sword  for  the  friend  I  have  borrowed." 

Thereupon  he  snatched  the  weapon  deftly  from 
the  Sheriff's  hand. 

"  Here,  Stutely  !  "  said  he,  "  the  Sheriff  has  lent 
you  his  own  sword.  Back  to  back  with  me,  man, 
and  we'll  teach  these  knaves  a  trick  or  two ! " 

Meanwhile  the  soldiers  had  recovered  from 
cheir  momentary  surprise  and  had  flung  them- 
selves into  the  fray.  A  clear  bugle-note  had  also 


264  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

sounded — the  same  which  the  soldiers  had  learned 
to  dread.  'Twas  the  rallying  note  of  the  green- 
wood men.  Clothyard  shafts  began  to  hurtle 
through  the  air,  and  Robin  and  his  men  cast 
aside  their  cloaks  and  sprang  forward  crying  : 

"  Lockesley  !  Lockesley  !  A  rescue  !  A 
rescue  !  " 

On  the  instant,  a  terrible  scene  of  hand  to  hand 
fighting  followed.  The  Sheriff's  men,  though 
once  more  taken  by  surprise,  were  determined  to 
sell  this  rescue  dearly.  They  packed  in  closely 
and  stubbornly  about  the  condemned  man  and 
Much  and  the  palmer,  and  it  was  only  by  des- 
perate rushes  that  the  foresters  made  an  opening 
in  the  square.  Ugly  cuts  and  bruises  were  ex- 
changed freely  ;  and  lucky  was  the  man  who  es- 
caped with  only  these.  Many  of  the  onlookers, 
who  had  long  hated  the  Sheriff  and  felt  sympathy 
for  Robin's  men,  also  plunged  into  the  conflict — 
although  they  could  not  well  keep  out  of  it,  in 
sooth  !  — and  aided  the  rescuers  no  little. 

At  last  with  a  mighty  onrush,  Robin  cleaved  a 
way  through  the  press  to  the  scaffold  itself,  and 
not  a  second  too  soon ;  for  two  men  with  pikes 
had  leaped  upon  the  cart,  and  were  in  the  act  of 
thrusting  down  upon  the  palmer  and  Will  Stutely. 
A  mighty  upward  blow  from  Robin's  good  blade 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     265 

sent  the  pike  flying  from  the  hand  of  one,  while 
a  well-directed  arrow  from  the  outskirt  pierced 
the  other  fellow's  throat. 

"  God  save  you,  master  !  "  cried  Will  Stutely 
joyfully.  "  I  had  begun  to  fear  that  I  would  never 
see  your  face  again/' 

"  A  rescue!"  shouted  the  outlaws  afresh, 
and  the  soldiery  became  faint-hearted  and 
'gan  to  give  back.  But  the  field  was  not 
yet  won,  for  they  retreated  in  close  order  to- 
ward the  East  gate,  resolved  to  hem  the  at- 
tackers within  the  city  walls.  Here  again,  how- 
ever, they  were  in  error,  since  the  outlaws  did 
not  go  out  by  their  nearest  gate.  They  made  a 
sally  in  that  direction,  in  order  to  mislead  the 
soldiery,  then  abruptly  turned  and  headed  for  the 
West  gate,  which  was  still  guarded  by  Arthur-a- 
Bland. 

The  Sheriff 's  men  raised  an  exultant  shout  at 
this,  thinking  they  had  the  enemy  trapped. 
Down  they  charged  after  them,  but  the  outlaws 
made  good  their  lead,  and  soon  got  through  the 
gate  and  over  the  bridge  which  had  been  let 
down  by  Arthur-a-Bland. 

Close  upon  their  heels  came  the  soldiers — so 
close,  that  Arthur  had  no  time  to  close  the  gate 
again  or  raise  the  bridge.  So  he  threw  away  his 


266  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

key  and  fell  in  with  the  yeomen,  who  now  began 
their  retreat  up  the  long  hill  to  the  woods. 

On  this  side  the  town,  the  road  leading  to  the 
forest  was  long  and  almost  unprotected.  The 
greenwood  men  were  therefore  in  some  distress, 
for  the  archers  shot  at  them  from  loop-holes  in 
the  walls,  and  the  pikemen  were  reinforced  by  a 
company  of  mounted  men  from  the  castle.  But 
the  outlaws  retreated  stubbornly  and  now  and 
again  turned  to  hold  their  pursuers  at  bay  by  a 
volley  of  arrows.  Stutely  was  in  their  midst, 
fighting  with  the  energy  of  two ;  and  the  little 
palmer  was  there  also,  but  took  no  part  save  to 
keep  close  to  Robin's  side  and  mutter  silent 
words  as  though  in  prayer. 

Robin  put  his  horn  to  his  lips  to  sound  a  rally, 
when  a  flying  arrow  from  the  enemy  pierced 
his  hand.  The  palmer  gave  a  little  cry  and 
sprang  forward.  The  Sheriff,  who  followed  close 
with  his  men  on  horseback,  also  saw  the  wound 
and  gave  a  great  huzza. 

"  Ha !  you  will  shoot  no  more  bows  for  a  sea- 
son, master  outlaw  !  "  he  shouted. 

"  You  lie  !  "  retorted  Robin  fiercely,  wrenching 
the  shaft  from  his  hand  despite  the  streaming 
blood  ;  "  I  have  saved  one  shot  for  you  all  this 
day.  Here  take  it !  " 


How  Will  Stutely  was  Rescued     267 

And  he  fitted  the  same  arrow,  which  had 
wounded  him,  upon  the  string  of  his  bow  and  let 
it  fly  toward  the  Sheriff's  head.  The  Sheriff  fell 
forward  upon  his  horse  in  mortal  terror,  but  not 
so  quickly  as  to  escape  unhurt.  The  sharp  point 
laid  bare  a  deep  gash  upon  his  scalp  and  must 
certainly  have  killed  him  if  it  had  come  closer. 

The  fall  of  the  Sheriff  discomfited  his  follow- 
ers for  the  moment,  and  Robin's  men  took  this 
chance  to  speed  on  up  the  hill.  The  palmer  had 
whipped  out  a  small  white  handkerchief  and 
tried  to  staunch  Robin's  wound  as  they  went. 
At  sight  of  the  palmer's  hand,  Robin  turned  with 
a  start,  and  pushed  back  the  other's  hood. 

"  Marian  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  you  here  !  " 

It  was  indeed  Maid  Marian,  who  had  helped 
save  Will,  and  been  in  the  stress  of  battle  from 
the  first.  Now  she  hung  her  head  as  though 
caught  in  wrong. 

"  I  had  to  come,  Robin,"  she  said  simply,  "  and 
I  knew  you  would  not  let  me  come,  else." 

Their  further  talk  was  interrupted  by  an  ex- 
clamation from  Will  Scarlet. 

"  By  the  saints,  we  are  trapped  !  "  he  said,  and 
pointed  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  toward  which  they 
were  pressing. 

There  from  out  a  gray  castle  poured  a  troop  of 


268  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

men,  armed  with  pikes  and  axes,  who  shouted 
and  came  running  down  upon  them.  At  the 
same  instant,  the  Sheriff's  men  also  renewed 
their  pursuit. 

"  Alas  !  "  cried  poor  Marian,  "  we  are  undone  ! 
There  is  no  way  of  escape  !  " 

"  Courage,  clear  heart !  "  said  Robin,  drawing 
her  close  to  him.  But  his  own  spirit  sank  as  he 
looked  about  for  some  outlet. 

Then — oh,  joyful  sight !  — he  recognized  among 
the  foremost  of  those  coming  from  the  castle  the 
once  doleful  knight,  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea.  He 
was  smiling  now,  and  greatly  excited. 

"  A  Hood  !  a  Hood  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  a  rescue  !  a 
rescue  !  " 

Never  were  there  more  welcome  sights  and 
sounds  than  these.  With  a  great  cheer  the 
outlaws  raced  up  the  hill  to  meet  their  new 
friends  ;  and  soon  the  whole  force  had  gained  the 
shelter  of  the  castle.  Bang  !  went  the  bridge  as 
it  swung  back  up,  with  great  clanking  of  chains. 
Clash !  went  one  great  door  upon  the  other,  as 
they  shut  in  the  outlaw  band,  and  shut  out  the 
Sheriff,  who  dashed  up  at  the  head  of  his  men, 
his  bandaged  face  streaked  with  blood  and  in- 
flamed with  rage. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

HOW  SIR  RICHARD  OF  THE  LEA  REPAID 
HIS  DEBT 

The  proud  Sheriff  loud  'gan  cry 
And  said,  "  Thou  traitor  knight, 

Thou  keepest  here  the  King's  enemy 
Against  the  laws  and  right." 

OPEN   the  gates !  "  shouted  the  Sheriff 
hoarsely,  to  the  sentinel  upon  the  walls. 
"  Open,  I  say,  in  the  King's  name  ! " 
"  Why  who  are  you  to  come  thus  brawling 
upon  my  premises  ? "  asked  a  haughty  voice  ; 
and  Sir  Richard  himself  stepped  forth  upon  the 
turret. 

"  You  know  me  well,  traitor  knight !  "  said  the 
Sheriff,  "  now  give  up  into  my  hands  the  enemy 
of  the  King  whom  you  have  sheltered  against 
the  laws  and  right." 

"  Fair    and    softly,    sir,"    quoth    the    knight 
smoothly.     "  I  well  avow  that  I  have  done  cer- 
tain deeds  this  day.     But  I  have  done  them  upon 
mine   own  land,  which  you  now  trespass  upon  ; 
269 


2jo  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

and  I  shall  answer  only  to  the  King — whom 
God  preserve! — for  my  actions." 

"  Thou  soft-spoken  villain  !  "  said  the  Sheriff, 
still  in  a  towering  passion.  "  I,  also,  serve  the 
King  ;  and  if  these  outlaws  are  not  given  up  to  me 
at  once,  I  shall  lay  siege  to  the  castle  and  burn  it 
with  fire." 

"  First  show  me  your  warrants,"  said  Sir  Rich- 
ard curtly. 

"  My  word  is  enough !  Am  I  not  Sheriff  of 
Nottingham  ?  " 

"  If  you  are,  in  sooth,"  retorted  the  knight, 
"  you  should  know  that  you  have  no  authority 
within  my  lands  unless  you  bear  the  King's 
order.  In  the  meantime,  go  mend  your  manners, 
lording." 

And  Sir  Richard  snapped  his  fingers  and  dis- 
appeared from  the  walls.  The  Sheriff,  after  lin- 
gering a  few  moments  longer  in  hope  of  further 
parley,  was  forced  to  withdraw,  swearing  fiercely. 

"The  King's  order!"  muttered  he.  "That 
shall  I  have  without  delay,  as  well  as  this  upstart 
knight's  estates;  for  King  Richard  is  lately  re- 
turned, I  hear,  from  the  Holy  Land." 

Meanwhile  the  knight  had  gone  back  to  Robin 
Hood,  and  the  two  men  greeted  each  other 
right  gladly. 


How  Sir  Richard  Repaid  His  Debt     271 

"  Well  met,  bold  Robin  !  "  cried  he,  taking  him 
in  his  arms.  "  Well  met,  indeed  !  The  Lord  has 
lately  prospered  me,  and  I  was  minded  this  day 
to  ride  forth  and  repay  my  debt  to  you." 

"  And  so  you  have,"  answered  Robin  gayly. 

"Nay,  'twas  nothing — this  small  service!" 
said  the  knight.  "I  meant  the  moneys  coming 
to  you." 

"  They  have  all  been  repaid,"  said  Robin ;  "  my 
lord  of  Hereford  himself  gave  them  to  me." 

"  The  exact  sum  ?  "  asked  the  knight. 

"  The  exact  sum,"  answered  Robin,  winking 
solemnly. 

Sir  Richard  smiled,  but  said  no  more  at  the 
time.  Robin  was  made  to  rest  until  dinner 
should  be  served.  Meanwhile  a  leech  bound  up 
his  hand  with  ointment,  promising  him  that  he 
should  soon  have  its  use  again.  Some  half-score 
others  of  the  yeomen  had  been  hurt  in  the  fight, 
but  luckily  none  of  grave  moment.  They  were 
all  bandaged  and  made  happy  by  bumpers  of 
ale. 

At  dinner  Sir  Richard  presented  Robin  to  his 
wife  and  son.  The  lady  was  stately  and  gracious, 
and  made  much  of  Marian,  whom  she  had  known 
as  a  little  girl  and  who  was  now  clothed  more 
seemly  for  a  dinner  than  in  monkish  garments. 


272  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  young  esquire  was  a  goodly  youth  and  bade 
fair  to  make  as  stout  a  knight  as  his  father. 

The  feast  was  a  joyous  event.  There  were 
two  long  tables,  and  two  hundred  men  sat  down 
at  them,  and  ate  and  drank  and  afterward  sang 
songs.  An  hundred  and  forty  of  these  men 
wore  Lincoln  green  and  called  Robin  Hood  their 
chief.  Never,  I  ween,  had  there  been  a  more 
gallant  company  at  table  in  Lea  Castle ! 

That  night  the  foresters  tarried  within  the 
friendly  walls,  and  the  next  day  took  leave; 
though  Sir  Richard  protested  that  they  should 
have  made  a  longer  stay.  And  he  took  Robin 
aside  to  his  strong  room  and  pressed  him  again 
to  take  the  four  hundred  golden  pounds.  But 
his  guest  was  firm. 

"  Keep  the  money,  for  it  is  your  own,"  said 
Robin ;  "  I  have  but  made  the  Bishop  return  that 
which  he  extorted  unjustly." 

Sir  Richard  thanked  him  in  a  few  earnest 
words,  and  asked  him  and  all  his  men  to  visit 
the  armory,  before  they  departed.  And  therein 
they  saw,  placed  apart,  an  hundred  and  forty 
stout  yew  bows  of  cunning  make,  with  fine 
waxen  silk  strings ;  and  an  hundred  and  forty 
sheaves  of  arrows.  Every  shaft  was  a  just  ell 
long,  set  with  peacock's  feathers,  and  notched 


How  Sir  Richard  Repaid  His  Debt     273 

with  silver.  And  Sir  Richard's  fair  lady  came 
forward  and  with  her  own  hands  gave  each  yeo- 
man a  bow  and  a  sheaf. 

"  In  sooth,  these  are  poor  presents  we  have 
made  you,  good  Robin  Hood,"  said  Sir  Richard  ; 
"  but  they  carry  with  them  a  thousand  times 
their  weight  in  gratitude." 

The  Sheriff  made  good  his  threat  to  inform 
the  King.  Forth  rode  he  to  London  town  upon 
the  week  following,  his  scalp  wound  having 
healed  sufficiently  to  permit  him  to  travel.  This 
time  he  did  not  seek  out  Prince  John,  but  asked 
audience  with  King  Richard  of  the  Lion  Heart 
himself.  His  Majesty  had  but  lately  returned 
from  the  crusades,  and  was  just  then  looking  into 
the  state  of  his  kingdom.  So  the  Sheriff  found 
ready  audience. 

Then  to  him  the  Sheriff  spoke  at  length  con- 
cerning Robin  Hood  ;  how  that  for  many  months 
the  outlaws  had  defied  the  King,  and  slain  the 
King's  deer;  how  Robin  had  gathered  about 
him  the  best  archers  in  all  the  countryside ;  and, 
finally,  how  the  traitorous  knight  Sir  Richard  of 
the  Lea  had  rescued  the  band  when  capture 
seemed  certain,  and  refused  to  deliver  them  up 
to  justice. 


274  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  King  heard  him  through  with  attention, 
and  quoth  he : 

"  Meseems  I  have  heard  of  this  same  Robin 
Hood,  and  his  men,  and  also  seen  somewhat  of 
their  prowess.  Did  not  these  same  outlaws  shoot 
in  a  royal  tourney  at  Finsbury  Field  ?  " 

"  They  did,  Your  Majesty,  under  a  royal  am- 
nesty." 

In  this  speech  the  Sheriff  erred,  for  the  King 
asked  quickly, 

"  How  came  they  last  to  the  Fair  at  Notting- 
ham— by  stealth  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Your  Majesty." 

"  Did  you  forbid  them  to  come  ?  " 

"  No,  Your  Majesty.     That  is  — 

"  Speak  out !  " 

For  the  good  of  the  shire,"  began  the  Sheriff1 
again,  falteringly,  "  we  did  proclaim  an  amnesty ; 
but  'twas  because  these  men  had  proved  a 
menace " 

"  Now  by  my  halidom  ! "  quoth  the  King, 
while  his  brow  grew  black.  "  Such  treachery 
would  be  unknown  in  the  camp  of  the  Saracen  ; 
and  yet  we  call  ourselves  a  Christian  people !  " 

The  Sheriff  kept  silence  through  very  fear 
and  shame;  then  the  King  began  speech 
again : 


How  Sir  Richard  Repaid  His  Debt     275 

"  Nathless,  my  lord  Sheriff,  we  promise  to  look 
into  this  matter.  Those  outlaws  must  be  taught 
that  there  is  but  one  King  in  England,  and  that 
he  stands  for  the  law." 

So  the  Sheriff  was  dismissed,  with  very  mixed 
feelings,  and  went  his  way  home  to  Nottingham 
town. 

A  fortnight  later  the  King  began  to  make 
good  his  word,  by  riding  with  a  small  party  of 
knights  to  Lea  Castle.  Sir  Richard  was  advised 
of  the  cavalcade's  approach,  and  quickly  recog- 
nized his  royal  master  in  the  tall  knight  who  rode 
in  advance.  Hasting  to  open  wide  his  castle 
gates  he  went  forth  to  meet  the  King  and  fell  on 
one  knee  and  kissed  his  stirrup.  For  Sir  Richard, 
also,  had  been  with  the  King  to  the  Holy  Land, 
and  they  had  gone  on  many  adventurous  quests 
together. 

The  King  bade  him  rise,  and  dismounted  from 
his  own  horse  to  greet  him  as  a  brother  in  arms  ; 
and  arm-in-arm  they  went  into  the  castle,  while 
bugles  and  trumpets  sounded  forth  joyous  wel- 
come in  honor  of  the  great  occasion. 

After  the  King  had  rested  and  supped,  he 
turned  upon  the  knight  and  with  grave  face  in- 
quired : 


276  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  What  is  this  I  hear  about  your  castle's  be 
coming  a  nest  and  harbor  for  outlaws  ?  " 

Then  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea,  divining  that  the 
Sheriff  had  been  at  the  King's  ear  with  his  story, 
made  a  clean  breast  of  all  he  knew  :  how  that  the 
outlaws  had  befriended  him  in  sore  need — as 
they  had  befriended  others — and  how  that  he 
had  given  them  only  knightly  protection  in  re- 
turn. 

The  King  liked  the  story  well,  for  his  own  soul 
was  one  of  chivalry.  And  he  asked  other  ques- 
tions about  Robin  Hood,  and  heard  of  the 
ancient  wrong  done  his  father  before  him,  and  of 
Robin's  own  enemies,  and  of  his  manner  of  liv- 
ing. 

"  In  sooth,"  cried  King  Richard,  springing  up, 
."I  must  see  this  bold  fellow  for  myself!  An 
you  will  entertain  my  little  company,  and  be 
ready  to  sally  forth,  upon  the  second  day,  in 
quest  of  me  if  need  were,  I  shall  e'en  fare  alone 
into  the  greenwood  to  seek  an  adventure  with 
him." 

But  of  this  adventure  you  shall  be  told  in  the 
next  tale ;  for  I  have  already  shown  you  how  Sir 
Richard  of  the  Lea  repaid  his  debt,  with  interest. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

HOW  KING  RICHARD  CAME  TO  SHER- 
WOOD FOREST 

King  Richard  hearing  of  the  pranks 

Of  Robin  Hood  and  his  men, 
He  much  admired  and  more  desired 

To  see  both  him  and  them. 


Then  Robin  takes  a  can  of  ale : 

"  Come  let  us  now  begin ; 
And  every  man  shall  have  his  can  ; 

Here's  a  health  unto  the  King !  " 

FRIAR  TUCK   had    nursed  Little  John's 
wounded  knee  so  skilfully  that  it  was  now 
healed.     In  sooth,  the  last  part  of  the  nurs- 
ing depended  more  upon  strength  than  skill ;  for 
it  consisted  chiefly  of  holding  down  the  patient, 
by  main  force,  to  his  cot.     Little  John  had  felt 
so  well  that  he  had  insisted  upon  getting  up  be- 
fore the  wound  was  healed  ;  and  he  would  have 
done  so,  if  the  friar  had  not  piled  some  holy 
books  upon  his  legs  and  sat  upon  his  stomach. 
Under  this  vigorous  treatment  Little  John  was 
277 


278  Stones  of  Robin  Hood 

constrained  to  lie  quiet  until  the  friar  gave  him 
leave  to  get  up.  At  last  he  had  this  leave,  and 
he  and  the  friar  went  forth  to  join  the  rest  of 
the  band,  who  were  right  glad  to  see  them,  you 
may  be  sure.  They  sat  around  a  big  fire,  for 
'twas  a  chilly  evening,  and  feasted  and  made 
merry,  in  great  content. 

A  cold  rain  set  in,  later,  but  the  friar  wended 
his  way  back,  nathless,  to  his  little  hermitage. 
There  he  made  himself  a  cheerful  blaze,  and 
changed  his  dripping  robe,  and  had  sat  himself 
down,  with  a  sigh  of  satisfaction,  before  a  tankard 
of  hot  mulled  wine  and  a  pasty,  when  suddenly 
a  voice  was  heard  on  the  outside,  demanding  ad- 
mission. His  kennel  of  dogs  set  up  furious  up- 
roar, on  the  instant,  by  way  of  proving  the  fact  of 
a  stranger's  presence. 

"  Now  by  Saint  Peter !  "  growled  the  friar, 
"  who  comes  here  at  this  unseemly  hour  ?  Does 
he  take  this  for  a  hostelry  ?  Move  on,  friend,  else 
my  mulled  wine  will  get  cold  !  " 

So  saying  he  put  the  tankard  to  his  lips,  when 
a  thundering  rap  sounded  upon  the  door-panel, 
making  it  to  quiver,  and  causing  Tuck  almost 
to  drop  his  tankard ;  while  an  angry  voice 
shouted, 

"  Ho  !     Within  there  !     Open,  I  say  !  " 


How  King  Richard  Came          279 

"  Go  your  way  in  peace ! "  roared  back  the 
friar ;  "  I  can  do  nothing  for  you.  'Tis  but  a  few 
miles  to  Gamewell,  if  you  know  the  road." 

"  But  I  do  not  know  the  road,  and  if  I  did  I 
would  not  budge  another  foot.  'Tis  wet  without 
and  dry  within.  So,  open,  without  further  par- 
ley ! " 

"  A  murrain  seize  you  for  disturbing  a  holy 
man  in  his  prayers  ! "  muttered  Tuck  savagely. 
Nathless,  he  was  fain  to  unbar  the  door  in  order 
to  keep  it  from  being  battered  down.  Then 
lighting  a  torch  at  his  fire  and  whistling  for  one 
of  his  dogs,  he  strode  forth  to  see  who  his  visitor 
might  be. 

The  figure  of  a  tall  knight  clad  in  a  black  coat 
of  mail,  with  plumed  helmet,  stood  before  him. 
By  his  side  stood  his  horse,  also  caparisoned  in 
rich  armor. 

"  Have  you  no  supper,  brother  ?"  asked  the 
Black  Knight  curtly.  "  I  must  beg  of  you  a  bed 
and  a  bit  of  roof,  for  this  night,  and  fain  would 
refresh  my  body  ere  I  sleep." 

"  I  have  no  room  that  even  your  steed  would 
deign  to  accept,  Sir  Knight ;  and  naught  save  a 
crust  of  bread  and  pitcher  of  water." 

"  F  faith,  I  can  smell  better  fare  than  that, 
brother,  and  must  e'en  force  my  company  upon 


280  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

you,  though  I  shall  recompense  it  for  gold  in  the 
name  of  the  church.  As  for  my  horse,  let  him 
but  be  blanketed  and  put  on  the  sheltered  side 
of  the  house." 

And  without  further  parley  the  knight  boldly 
strode  past  Tuck  and  his  dog  and  entered  the 
hermitage.  Something  about  his  masterful  air 
pleased  Tuck,  in  spite  of  his  churlishness. 

"  Sit  you  down,  Sir  Knight,"  quoth  he,  "  and  I 
will  fasten  up  your  steed,  and  find  him  somewhat 
in  the  shape  of  grain.  Half,  also,  of  my  bed  and 
board  is  yours,  this  night ;  but  we  shall  see  later 
who  is  the  better  man,  and  is  to  give  the  orders  !  " 

"  With  all  my  soul ! "  said  the  knight,  laugh- 
ing. "  I  can  pay  my  keeping  in  blows  or  gold 
as  you  prefer." 

The  friar  presently  returned  and  drew  up  a 
small  table  near  the  fire. 

"  Now,  Sir  Knight,"  quoth  he,  "  put  off  your 
sword  and  helm  and  such  other  war-gear  as  it 
pleases  you,  and  help  me  lay  this  table,  for  I  am 
passing  hungry." 

The  knight  did  as  he  was  told,  and  put  aside 
the  visor  which  had  hid  his  face.  He  was  a 
bronzed  and  bearded  man  with  blue  eyes,  and 
hair  shot  with  gold,  haughty  but  handsome 
withal. 


How  King  Richard  Came          281 

Then  once  again  the  priest  sat  him  down  to 
his  pasty  and  mulled  wine,  right  hopefully.  He 
spoke  his  grace  with  some  haste,  and  was  sur- 
prised to  hear  his  guest  respond  fittingly  in  the 
Latin  tongue.  Then  they  attacked  the  wine  and 
pasty  valiantly,  and  the  Black  Knight  made  good 
his  word  of  being  in  need  of  refreshment.  Tuck 
looked  ruefully  at  the  rapidly  disappearing  food, 
but  came  to  grudge  it  not,  by  reason  of  the 
stories  with  which  his  guest  enlivened  the  meal. 
The  wine  and  warmth  of  the  room  had  cheered 
them  both,  and  they  were  soon  laughing  uproar- 
iously as  the  best  of  comrades  in  the  world.  The 
Black  Knight,  it  seemed,  had  traveled  every- 
where. He  had  been  on  crusades,  had  fought 
the  courteous  Saladin,  had  been  in  prison,  and 
often  in  peril.  But  now  he  spoke  of  it  lightly, 
and  laughed  it  off,  and  made  himself  so  friendly 
that  Friar  Tuck  was  like  to  choke  with  merri- 
ment. So  passed  the  time  till  late ;  and  the  two 
fell  asleep  together,  one  on  each  side  of  the  table 
which  they  had  cleared  to  the  platters. 

In  the  morning  Friar  Tuck  awoke  disposed  to 
be  surly,  but  was  speedily  mollified  by  the  sight 
of  the  Black  Knight  who  had  already  risen  gay 
as  a  lark,  washed  his  face  and  hands,  and  was 
now  stirring  a  hot  gruel  over  the  fire. 


282  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  By  my  faith,  I  make  a  sorry  host !  "  cried 
Tuck  springing  to  his  feet.  And  later  as  they 
sat  at  breakfast,  he  added,  "  I  want  not  your 
gold,  of  which  you  spoke  last  night ;  but  instead 
I  will  do  what  I  can  to  speed  you  on  your  way 
whenever  you  wish  to  depart." 

"  Then  tell  me,"  said  the  knight,  "  how  I  may 
find  Robin  Hood  the  outlaw ;  for  I  have  a  mes- 
sage to  him  from  the  King.  All  day  yesterday 
I  sought  him,  but  found  him  not." 

Friar  Tuck  lifted  up  his  hands  in  holy  horror. 
"  I  am  a  lover  of  peace,  Sir  Knight,  and  do  not 
consort  with  Robin's  bold  fellows." 

"  Nay,  I  think  no  harm  of  Master  Hood,"  said 
the  knight;  "  but  much  I  yearn  to  have  speech 
with  him  in  mine  own  person." 

"  If  that  be  all,  mayhap  I  can  guide  you  to  his 
haunts,"  said  Tuck,  who  foresaw  in  this  knight  a 
possible  gold-bag  for  Robin.  "  In  sooth,  I  could 
not  well  live  in  these  woods  without  hearing 
somewhat  of  the  outlaws ;  but  matters  of  re- 
ligion are  my  chief  joy  and  occupation." 

"  I  will  go  with  you,  brother,  "  said  the  Black 
Knight. 

So  without  more  ado  they  went  their  way  into 
the  forest,  the  knight  riding  upon  his  charger, 
and  Tuck  pacing  along  demurely  by  his  side. 


How  King  Richard  Came          283 

The  day  had  dawned  clear  and  bright,  and  now 
with  the  sun  a  good  three  hours  high  a  sweet 
autumn  fragrance  was  in  the  air.  The  wind  had 
just  that  touch  of  coolness  in  it  which  sets  the 
hunter's  blood  to  tingling  ;  and  every  creature  of 
nature  seemed  bounding  with  joyous  life. 

The  knight  sniffed  the  fresh  air  in  delight. 

"  By  my  halidom  !  "  quoth  he ;  "  but  the  good 
greenwood  is  the  best  place  to  live  in,  after  all ! 
What  court  or  capital  can  equal  this,  for  full- 
blooded  men  ?  " 

"  None  of  this  earth,"  replied  Tuck  smilingly. 
And  once  more  his  heart  warmed  toward  this 
courteous  stranger. 

They  had  not  proceeded  more  than  three  or 
four  miles  along  the  way  from  Fountain  Abbey  to 
Barnesdale,  when  of  a  sudden  the  bushes  just 
ahead  of  them  parted  and  a  well-knit  man  with 
curling  brown  hair  stepped  into  the  road  and  laid 
his  hand  upon  the  knight's  bridle. 

It  was  Robin  Hood.  He  had  seen  Friar  Tuck, 
a  little  way  back,  and  shrewdly  suspected  his  plan. 
Tuck,  however,  feigned  not  to  know  him  at  all. 

"  Hold  !  "  cried  Robin ;  "  I  am  in  charge  of  the 
highway  this  day,  and  must  exact  an  accounting 
from  all  passers-by." 

"  Who  is  it  bids  me  hold  ?  "  asked  the  knight 


284  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

quietly.  "  I  am  not  i'  the  habit  of  yielding  to  one 
man." 

"  Then  here  are  others  to  keep  me  company," 
said  Robin  clapping  his  hands.  And  instantly  a 
half-score  other  stalwart  fellows  came  out  of  the 
bushes  and  stood  beside  him. 

"  We  be  yeomen  of  the  forest,  Sir  Knight," 
continued  Robin/'  and  live  under  the  green  wood 
tree.  We  have  no  means  of  support — thanks  to 
the  tyranny  of  our  over-lords — other  than  the 
aid  which  fat  churchmen,  and  goodly  knights  like 
yourselves  can  give.  And  as  ye  have  churches 
and  rents,  both,  and  gold  in  great  plenty,  we  be- 
seech ye  for  Saint  Chanty  to  give  us  some  of 
your  spending." 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  monk,  good  sir !  "  said  Friar 
Tuck  in  a  whining  voice,  "  and  am  on  my  way 
to  the  shrine  of  Saint  Dunstan,  if  your  worshipful- 
ness  will  permit." 

"  Tarry  a  space  with  us,"  answered  Robin, 
biting  back  a  smile,  "  and  we  will  speed  you  on 
your  way." 

The  Black  Knight  now  spoke  again.  "  But 
we  are  messengers  of  the  King,"  quoth  he ;  "  His 
Majesty  himself  tarries  near  here  and  would  have 
speech  with  Robin  Hood." 

"  God   save  the   King  !  "   said    Robin   doffing 


How  King  Richard  Came  285 

his  cap  loyally ;  "  and  all  that  wish  him  well !  I 
am  Robin  Hood,  but  I  say  cursed  be  the  man 
who  denies  our  liege  King's  sovereignty  !  " 

"  Have  a  care  !  "  said  the  knight,  "  or  you 
shall  curse  yourself ! " 

"  Nay,  not  so,"  replied  Robin  curtly ;  "  the 
King  has  no  more  devoted  subject  than  I.  Nor 
have  I  despoiled  aught  of  his  save,  mayhap,  a 
few  deer  for  my  hunger.  My  chief  war  is  against 
the  clergy  and  barons  of  the  land  who  bear  down 
upon  the  poor.  But  I  am  glad,"  he  continued, 
"  that  I  have  met  you  here  ;  and  before  we  end 
you  shall  be  my  friend  and  taste  of  our  green- 
wood cheer." 

"  But  what  is  the  reckoning  ? "  asked  the 
knight.  u  For  I  am  told  that  some  of  your 
feasts  are  costly." 

"  Nay,"  responded  Robin  waving  his  hands, 
"  you  are  from  the  King.  Nathless — how  much 
money  is  in  your  purse  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  more  than  forty  gold  pieces,  see- 
ing that  I  have  lain  a  fortnight  at  Nottingham 
with  the  King,  and  have  spent  some  goodly 
amounts  upon  other  lordings,"  replied  the 
knight. 

Robin  took  the  forty  pounds  and  gravely 
counted  it.  One-half  he  gave  to  his  men  and 


286  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

bade  them  drink  the  King's  health  with  it.  The 
other  half  he  handed  back  to  the  knight. 

"  Sir,"  said  he  courteously,  "  have  this  for  your 
spending.  If  you  lie  with  kings  and  lordings 
overmuch,  you  are  like  to  need  it." 

"  Gramercy  !  "  replied  the  other  smiling.  "  And 
now  lead  on  to  your  greenwood  hostelry." 

So  Robin  went  on  one  side  of  the  knight's 
steed,  and  Friar  Tuck  on  the  other,  and  the  men 
went  before  and  behind  till  they  came  to  the 
open  glade  before  the  caves  of  Barnesdale.  Then 
Robin  drew  forth  his  bugle  and  winded  the  three 
signal  blasts  of  the  band.  Soon  there  came  a 
company  of  yeomen  with  its  leader,  and  another, 
and  a  third,  and  a  fourth,  till  there  were  seven- 
score  yeomen  in  sight.  All  were  dressed  in  new 
livery  of  Lincoln  green,  and  carried  new  bows  in 
their  hands  and  bright  short  swords  at  their  belts. 
And  every  man  bent  his  knee  to  Robin  Hood  ere 
taking  his  place  before  the  board,  which  was  al- 
ready set. 

A  handsome  dark-haired  page  stood  at  Robin's 
right  hand  to  pour  his  wine  and  that  of  the 
knightly  guest ;  while  the  knight  marveled  much 
at  all  he  saw,  and  said  within  himself: 

"  These  men  of  Robin  Hood's  give  him  more 
obedience  than  my  fellows  give  to  me." 


How  King  Richard  Came          287 

At  the  signal  from  Robin  the  dinner  began. 
There  was  venison  and  fowl  and  fish  and  wheaten 
cake  and  ale  and  red  wine  in  great  plenty,  and 
'twas  a  goodly  sight  to  see  the  smiles  upon  the 
hungry  yeomen's  faces. 

First  they  listened  to  an  unctuous  grace  from 
Friar  Tuck,  and  then  Robin  lifted  high  a  tankard 
of  ale. 

"  Come,  let  us  now  begin,"  quoth  he,  "  and 
every  man  shall  have  his  can.  In  honor  of  our 
guest  who  comes  with  royal  word,  here's  a  health 
unto  the  King  !  " 

The  guest  responded  heartily  to  this  toast,  and 
round  about  the  board  it  went,  the  men  cheer- 
ing noisily  for  King  Richard  ! 

After  the  feast  was  over,  Robin  turned  to  his 
guest  and  said,  "  Now  you  shall  see  what  life  we 
lead,  so  that  you  may  report  faithfully,  for  good 
or  bad,  unto  the  King." 

So  at  a  signal  from  him,  the  men  rose  up  and 
smartly  bent  their  bows  for  practice,  while  the 
knight  was  greatly  astonished  at  the  smallness  of 
their  targets.  A  wand  was  set  up,  far  down  the 
glade,  and  thereon  was  balanced  a  garland  of 
roses.  Whosoever  failed  to  speed  his  shaft 
through  the  garland,  without  knocking  it  off  the 


288  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

wand,  was  to  submit  to  a  buffet  from  the  hand  of 
Friar  Tuck. 

u  Ho,  ho  !  "  cried  the  knight,  as  his  late  travel- 
ing companion  rose  up  and  bared  his  brawny  arm 
ready  for  service  ;  "  so  you,  my  friend,  are  Friar 
Tuck  !  " 

"  I  have  not  gainsaid  it,"  replied  Tuck  growl- 
ing at  having  betrayed  himself.  "  But  chastise- 
ment is  a  rule  of  the  church,  and  I  am  seeking 
the  good  of  these  stray  sheep." 

The  knight  said  no  more,  though  his  eyes 
twinkled  ;  and  the  shooting  began. 

David  of  Doncaster  shot  first  and  landed  safely 
through  the  rose  garland.  Then  came  Allan-a- 
Dale  and  Little  John  and  Stutely  and  Scarlet  and 
many  of  the  rest,  while  the  knight  held  his  breath 
from  very  amazement.  Each  fellow  shot  truly 
through  the  garland,  until  Middle  the  tinker — not 
to  be  outdone — stepped  up  for  a  trial.  But  alas  ! 
while  he  made  a  fair  shot  for  a  townsman,  the  ar- 
row never  came  within  a  hand-breath  of  the  outer 
rim  of  the  garland. 

4<  Come  hither,  fellow,"  said  Little  John  coax- 
ingly.  "  The  priest  would  bless  thee  with  his 
open  hand." 

Then  because  Middle  made  a  wry  face,  as 
though  he  had  already  received  the  buffet,  and 


How  King  Richard  Came          289 

loitered  in  his  steps,  Arthur-a-Bland  and  Will 
Stutely  seized  him  by  the  arms  and  stood  him  be- 
fore the  friar.  Tuck's  big  arm  flashed  through 
the  air — "  whoof !  "  and  stopped  suddenly  against 
the  tinker's  ear  ;  while  Middle  himself  went  roll- 
ing over  and  over  on  the  grass.  He  was  stopped 
by  a  small  bush,  and  up  he  sat,  thrusting  his  head 
through  it,  rubbing  his  ear  and  blinking  up  at  the 
sky  as  though  the  stars  had  fallen  and  struck  him. 
The  yeomen  roared  with  merriment,  and  as  for 
the  knight  he  laughed  till  the  tears  came  out  of 
his  blue  eyes  and  rolled  down  his  face. 

After  Middle's  mishap,  others  of  the  band 
seemed  to  lose  their  balance,  and  fared  in  the 
same  fashion.  The  garland  would  topple  over  in 
a  most  impish  way  at  every  breath,  although  the 
arrows  went  through  it.  So  Middle  'gan  to  feel 
better  when  he  saw  this  one  and  that  one  tumbling 
on  the  sward. 

At  last  came  Robin's  turn.  He  shot  carefully, 
but  as  ill  luck  would  have  it  the  shaft  was  ill- 
feathered  and  swerved  sidewise  so  that  it  missed 
the  garland  by  full  three  fingers.  Then  a  great 
roar  went  up  from  the  whole  company ;  for  'twas 
rare  that  they  saw  their  leader  miss  his  mark. 
Robin  flung  his  bow  upon  the  ground  from  very 
vexation. 


290  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  A  murrain  take  it!  "  quoth  he.  "  The  arrow 
ivas  sadly  winged.  I  felt  the  poor  feather  upon 
it  as  it  left  my  fingers  ! " 

Then  suddenly  seizing  his  bow  again,  he  sped 
three  shafts  as  fast  as  he  could  send  them,  and 
every  one  went  clean  through  the  garland. 

"  By  Saint  George  !  "  muttered  the  knight. 
"  Never  before  saw  I  such  shooting  in  all  Chris- 
tendom ! " 

The  band  cheered  heartily  at  these  last  shots  ; 
but  Will  Scarlet  came  up  gravely  to  Robin. 

"  Pretty  shooting,  master !  "  quoth  he,  "  but 
'twill  not  save  you  from  paying  for  the  bad  ar- 
row. So  walk  up  and  take  your  medicine !  " 

"  Nay,  that  may  not  be ! "  protested  Robin. 
"  The  good  friar  belongs  to  my  company  and 
has  no  authority  to  lift  hands  against  me.  But 
you,  Sir  Knight,  stand  as  it  were  for  the  King. 
I  pray  you,  serve  out  my  blow." 

"  Not  so  !  "  said  Friar  Tuck.  "  My  son,  you 
forget  I  stand  for  the  church,  which  is  greater 
even  than  the  King." 

"  Not  in  merry  England,"  said  the  knight  in  a 
deep  voice.  Then  rising  to  his  feet,  he  added, 
"  I  stand  ready  to  serve  you,  Master  Hood." 

"  Now  out  upon  ye  for  an  upstart  knight ! " 
cried  Friar  Tuck.  "  I  told  you  last  night,  sirrah, 


How  King  Richard  Came          291 

that  we  should  yet  see  who  was  the  better  man  ! 
So  we  will  e'en  prove  it  now,  and  thus  settle  who 
is  to  pay  Robin  Hood." 

"  Good ! "  said  Robin,  "  for  I  want  not  to  start 
a  dispute  between  church  and  state." 

"  Good  !  "  also  said  the  knight.  "  Tis  an  easy 
way  to  end  prattling.  Come,  friar,  strike  and  ye 
dare.  I  will  give  you  first  blow." 

"  You  have  the  advantage  of  an  iron  pot  on 
your  head  and  gloves  on  your  hands,"  said  the 
friar ;  "  but  have  at  ye  !  Down  you  shall  go,  if 
you  were  Goliath  of  Gath." 

Once  more  the  priest's  brawny  arm  flashed 
through  the  air,  and  struck  with  a  "whoof!" 
But  to  the  amazement  of  all,  the  knight  did  not 
budge  from  his  tracks,  though  the  upper  half  of 
his  body  swerved  slightly  to  ease  the  force  of  the 
blow.  A  loud  shout  burst  from  the  yeomen  at 
this,  for  the  friar's  fist  was  proverbial,  and  few  of 
those  present  had  not  felt  the  force  of  it  in  times 
past. 

"  Now  'tis  my  turn,"  said  his  antagonist  coolly, 
casting  aside  his  gauntlet.  And  with  one  blow 
of  his  fist  the  knight  sent  the  friar  spinning  to 
the  ground. 

If  there  had  been  uproar  and  shouting  before, 
it  was  as  naught  to  the  noise  which  now  broke 


292  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

forth.  Every  fellow  held  his  sides  or  rolled  upon 
the  ground  from  laughter;  every  fellow,  save 
one,  and  that  was  Robin  Hood. 

"  Out  of  the  frying-pan  into  the  fire  !  "  thought 
he.  "  I  wish  I  had  let  the  friar  box  my  ears, 
after  all ! " 

Robin's  plight  did,  indeed,  seem  a  sorry  one, 
before  the  steel  muscles  of  this  stranger.  But 
he  was  saved  from  a  tumble  heels  over  head  by 
an  unlooked-for  diversion.  A  horn  winded  in 
the  glade,  and  a  party  of  knights  were  seen  ap- 
proaching. 

"  To  your  arms  !  "  cried  Robin,  hurriedly  seiz- 
ing his  sword  and  bow. 

"  Tis  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea  !  "  cried  another, 
as  the  troop  came  nearer. 

And  so  it  was.  Sir  Richard  spurred  forward 
his  horse  and  dashed  up  to  the  camp  while  the 
outlaws  stood  at  stiff  attention.  When  he 
had  come  near  the  spot  where  the  Black 
Knight  stood,  he  dismounted  and  knelt  before 
him. 

"  I  trust  Your  Majesty  has  not  needed  our 
arms  before,"  he  said  humbly. 

"  It  is  the  King  !  "  cried  Will  Scarlet,  falling 
upon  his  knees. 

"  The  King  ! "  echoed    Robin   Hood    after  a 


How  King  Richard  Came          293 

moment  of  dumb  wonderment;  and  he  and  all 
his  men  bent  reverently  upon  their  knees,  as  one 
man. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

HOW    ROBIN    HOOD   AND    MAID    MARIAN 
WERE  WED 

"  Stand  up  again,"  then  said  the  King, 

"  I'll  thee  thy  pardon  give ; 
Stand  up,  my  friend ;  who  can  contend, 
When  I  give  leave  to  live  ?  " 


Then  Robin  Hood  began  a  health 

To  Marian,  his  only  dear; 
And  his  yeomen  all,  both  comely  and  tall, 

Did  quickly  bring  up  the  rear. 

"^K"    T~OUR  pardon,  sire!"  exclaimed   Robin 
^f      Hood.      "  Pardon,    from     your     royal 
~M.     bounty,  for  these  my  men  who  stand 
ready  to  serve  you  all  your  days  ! " 

Richard   of   the   Lion    Heart   looked   grimly 
about  over  the  kneeling  band. 

"  Is  it  as  your  leader  says  ?  "  he  asked. 
"  Aye,  my  lord  King  !  "  burst  from  sevenscore 
throats  at  once. 

"  We  be  not  outlaws  from  choice  alone,"  con- 
tinued Robin ;  "  but  have  been  driven  to  outlawry 
294 


Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian      295 

through  oppression.  Grant  us  grace  and  royal 
protection,  and  we  will  forsake  the  greenwood 
and  follow  the  King." 

Richard's  eyes  sparkled  as  he  looked  from  one 
to  another  of  this  stalwart  band,  and  he  thought 
within  himself  that  here,  indeed,  was  a  royal 
body-guard  worth  the  while. 

"  Swear ! "  he  said  in  his  full  rich  voice ; 
"  swear  that  you,  Robin  Hood,  and  all  your  men 
from  this  day  henceforth  will  serve  the  King !  " 

"  We  swear  !  "  came  once  more  the  answering 
shout  from  the  yeomen. 

"  Arise,  then,"  said  King  Richard.  "  I  give 
you  all  free  pardon,  and  will  speedily  put  your 
service  to  the  test.  For  I  love  such  archers  as 
you  have  shown  yourselves  to  be,  and  it  were  a 
sad  pity  to  decree  such  men  to  death.  England 
could  not  produce  the  like  again,  for  many  a  day. 
But,  in  sooth,  I  cannot  allow  you  to  roam  in  the 
forest  and  shoot  my  deer ;  nor  to  take  the  law  of 
the  land  into  your  own  hands.  Therefore,  I  now 
appoint  you  to  be  Royal  Archers  and  mine  own 
especial  body-guard.  There  be  one  or  two  civil 
matters  to  settle  with  certain  Norman  noblemen, 
in  which  I  crave  your  aid.  Thereafter,  the  half 
of  your  number,  as  may  later  be  determined,  shall 
come  back  to  these  woodlands  as  Royal  For- 


296  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

esters.  Mayhap  you  will  show  as  much  zeal  in 
protecting  my  preserves  as  you  have  formerly 
shown  in  hunting  them.  Where,  now,  is  that 
outlaw  known  as  Little  John  ?  Stand  forth  !  " 

"  Here,  sire,"  quoth  the  giant,  doffing  his 
cap. 

"  Good  master  Little  John,"  said  the  King, 
looking  him  over  approvingly.  "  Could  your 
weak  sinews  stand  the  strain  of  an  office  in  the 
shire  ?  If  so,  you  are  this  day  Sheriff  of  Notting- 
ham ;  and  I  trust  you  will  make  a  better  official 
than  the  man  you  relieve." 

"  I  shall  do  my  best,  sire,"  said  Little  John, 
great  astonishment  and  gladness  in  his  heart. 

"  Master  Scarlet,  stand  forth,"  said  the  King ; 
and  then  addressing  him :  "  I  have  heard  some- 
what of  your  tale,"  quoth  he,  "and  that  your 
father  was  the  friend  of  my  father.  Now,  there- 
fore, accept  the  royal  pardon  and  resume  the  care 
of  your  family  estates  ;  for  your  father  must  be 
growing  old.  And  come  you  to  London  next 
Court  day  and  we  shall  see  if  there  be  a  knight- 
hood vacant." 

Likewise  the  King  called  for  Will  Stutely  and 
made  him  Chief  of  the  Royal  Archers.  Then  he 
summoned  Friar  Tuck  to  draw  near. 

"  I  crave  my  King's  pardon,"  said  the  priest, 


Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian      297 

humbly  enough ;  "  for  who  am  I  to  lift  my  hand 
against  the  Lord's  anointed  ?  " 

"  Nay,  the  Lord  sent  the  smiter  to  thee  with- 
out delay,"  returned  Richard  smiling ;  "  and  'tis 
not  for  me  to  continue  a  quarrel  between  church 
and  state.  So  what  can  I  do  for  you  in  pay- 
ment of  last  night's  hospitality  ?  Can  I  find 
some  fat  living  where  there  are  no  wicked  to 
chastise,  and  where  the  work  is  easy  and  com- 
fortable ?  " 

"  Not  so,  my  lord,"  replied  Tuck.  "  I  wish 
only  for  peace  in  this  life.  Mine  is  a  simple 
nature  and  I  care  not  for  the  fripperies  and  follies 
of  court  life.  Give  me  a  good  meal  and  a  cup  of 
right  brew,  health,  and  enough  for  the  day,  and  I 
ask  no  more." 

Richard  sighed.  "  You  ask  the  greatest  thing 
in  the  world,  brother — contentment.  It  is  not 
mine  to  give  or  to  deny.  But  ask  your  God  for 
it,  and  if  belike  he  grant  it,  then  ask  it  also  in 
behalf  of  your  King."  He  glanced  around  once 
more  at  the  foresters.  "  Which  one  of  you  is 
Allan-a-Dale ? "  he  asked;  and  when  Allan  had 
come  forward.  "  So,"  said  the  King  with  sober 
face,  "  you  are  that  errant  minstrel  who  stole  a 
bride  at  Plympton,  despite  her  would-be  groom 
and  attending  Bishop.  I  heard  something  of  this 


298  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

in  former  days.  Now  what  excuse  have  you  to 
make  ?  " 

"  Only  that  I  loved  her,  sire,  and  she  loved  me," 
said  Allan,  simply  ;  "  and  the  Norman  lord  would 
have  married  her  perforce,  because  of  her  lands." 

"  Which  have  since  been  forfeited  by  the 
Bishop  of  Hereford,"  added  Richard.  "  But  my 
lord  Bishop  must  disgorge  them ;  and  from  to- 
morrow you  and  Mistress  Dale  are  to  return  to 
them  and  live  in  peace  and  loyalty.  And  if  ever 
I  need  your  harp  at  Court,  stand  ready  to  attend 
me,  and  bring  also  the  lady.  Speaking  of  ladies," 
he  continued,  turning  to  Robin  Hood,  who  had 
stood  silent,  wondering  if  a  special  punishment 
was  being  reserved  for  him,  "  did  you  not  have  a 
sweetheart  who  was  once  at  Court — one,  Mistress 
Marian  ?  What  has  become  of  her,  that  you 
should  have  forgotten  her  ?  " 

"  Nay,  Your  Majesty,"  said  the  black-eyed  page 
coming  forward  blushingly ;  "  Robin  has  not  for- 
gotten me ! " 

"  So  !  "  said  the  King,  bending  to  kiss  her  small 
hand  in  all  gallantry.  "  Verily,  as  I  have  already 
thought  within  myself,  this  Master  Hood  is  bet- 
ter served  than  the  King  in  his  palace !  But  are 
you  not  the  only  child  of  the  late  Earl  of  Hunt- 
ingdon ?  " 


Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian     299 

"  I  am,  sire,  though  there  be  some  who  say 
that  Robin  Hood's  father  was  formerly  the  right- 
ful Earl  of  Huntingdon.  Nathless,  neither  he  is 
advantaged  nor  I,  for  the  estates  are  confiscate." 

"  Then  they  shall  be  restored  forthwith  !  "  cried 
the  King  ;  "  and  lest  you  two  should  revive  the 
ancient  quarrel  over  them,  I  bestow  them  upon 
you  jointly.  Come  forward,  Robin  Hood." 

Robin  came  and  knelt  before  his  king.  Rich- 
ard drew  his  sword  and  touched  him  upon  the 
shoulder. 

"  Rise,  Robin  Fitzooth,  Earl  of  Huntingdon  !  " 
he  exclaimed,  while  a  mighty  cheer  arose  from 
the  band  and  rent  the  air  of  the  forest.  "  The 
first  command  I  give  you,  my  lord  Earl,"  contin- 
ued the  King  when  quiet  was  restored,  "  is  to 
marry  Mistress  Marian  without  delay." 

"  May  I  obey  all  Your  Majesty's  commands  as 
willingly  ! "  cried  the  new  Earl  of  Huntingdon, 
drawing  the  old  Earl's  daughter  close  to  him. 
"  The  ceremony  shall  take  place  to-morrow,  an 
this  maid  is  willing." 

"  She  makes  little  protest,"  said  the  King ;  "  so 
I  shall  e'en  give  away  the  bride  myself ! " 

Then  the  King  chatted  with  others  of  the  for- 
esters, and  made  himself  as  one  of  them  for  the 
evening,  rejoicing  that  he  could  have  this  careless 


300  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

freedom  of  the  woods.  And  Much,  the  miller's 
son,  and  Arthur-a-Bland,  and  Middle,  and  Stutely 
and  Scarlet  and  Little  John  and  others  played  at 
the  quarter-staff,  giving  and  getting  many  lusty 
blows.  Then  as  the  shades  of  night  drew  on,  the 
whole  company — knights  and  foresters — supped 
and  drank  around  a  blazing  fire,  while  Allan 
sang  sweetly  to  the  thrumming  of  the  harp,  and 
the  others  joined  in  the  chorus. 

'Twas  a  happy,  care-free  night — this  last  one 
together  under  the  greenwood  tree.  Robin  could 
not  help  feeling  an  undertone  of  sadness  that  it 
was  to  be  the  last ;  for  the  charm  of  the  wood- 
land was  still  upon  him.  But  he  knew  'twas  bet- 
ter so,  and  that  the  new  life  with  Marian  and  in 
the  service  of  his  King  would  bring  its  own  joys. 

Then  the  night  deepened,  the  fire  sank,  but 
was  replenished  and  the  company  lay  down  to 
rest.  The  King,  at  his  own  request,  spent  the 
night  in  the  open.  Thus  they  slept — King  and 
subject  alike — out  under  the  stars,  cared  for  lov- 
ingly by  Nature,  kind  mother  of  us  all. 

In  the  morning  the  company  was  early  astir 
and  on  their  way  to  Nottingham.  It  was  a 
goodly  cavalcade.  First  rode  King  Richard  of 
the  Lion  Heart,  with  his  tall  figure  set  forth  by 


Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian     301 

the  black  armor  and  waving  plume  in  his  helm. 
Then  came  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea  with  four- 
score knights  and  men-at-arms.  And  after  them 
came  Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian  riding  upon 
milk-white  steeds.  Allan-a-Dale  also  escorted 
Mistress  Dale  on  horseback,  for  she  was  to  be 
matron-of-honor  at  the  wedding.  These  were 
followed  by  sevenscore  archers  clad  in  their 
bravest  Lincoln  green,  and  with  their  new  bows 
unstrung  in  token  of  peace. 

Outside  the  gates  of  Nottingham  town  they 
were  halted. 

"  Who  comes  here?"  asked  the  warder's  surly 
voice. 

"  Open  to  the  King  of  England  !  "  came  back 
the  clear  answer,  and  the  gates  were  opened  and 
the  bridge  let  down  without  delay. 

Almost  before  the  company  had  crossed  the 
moat  the  news  spread  through  the  town  like  wild- 
fire. 

"  The  King  is  here  !  The  King  is  here,  and 
hath  taken  Robin  Hood  !  " 

From  every  corner  flocked  the  people  to  see 
the  company  pass  ;  and  wildly  did  they  cheer  for 
the  King,  who  rode  smilingly  with  bared  head 
down  through  the  market-place. 

At  the  far  end  of  it,  he  was  met  by  the  Sheriff 


302  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

who  came  up  puffing  in  his  haste  to  do  the  King 
honor.  He  fairly  turned  green  with  rage  when 
he  saw  Sir  Richard  of  the  Lea  and  Robin  Hood 
in  the  royal  company,  but  made  low  obeisance  to 
his  master. 

"  Sir  Sheriff,"  quoth  the  King,  "  I  have  come 
to  rid  the  shire  of  outlaws,  according  to  my 
promise.  There  be  none  left,  for  all  have  now 
taken  service  with  their  King.  And  lest  there 
should  be  further  outbreak,  I  have  determined  to 
place  in  charge  of  this  shire  a  man  who  fears  no 
other  man  in  it.  Master  Little  John  is  hereby 
created  Sheriff  of  Nottingham,  and  you  will  turn 
over  the  keys  to  him  forthwith." 

The  Sheriff  bowed,  but  dared  utter  no  word. 
Then  the  King  turned  to  the  Bishop  of  Here- 
ford, who  had  also  come  up  to  pay  his  respects. 

"  Harkee,  my  lord  Bishop,"  quoth  he,  "  the 
stench  of  your  evil  actions  has  reached  our  nos- 
trils. We  shall  demand  strict  accounting  for  cer- 
tain seizures  of  lands  and  certain  acts  of  oppres- 
sion which  ill  become  a  churchman.  But  of  this, 
later.  This  afternoon  you  must  officiate  at  the 
wedding  of  two  of  our  company,  in  Nottingham 
Church.  So  make  you  ready." 

The  Bishop  also  bowed  and  departed,  glad  to 
escape  a  severer  censure  for  the  time. 


Robin  Hood  and  Maid  Marian     303 

The  company  then  rode  on  to  the  Mansion 
House,  where  the  King  held  high  levee  through 
all  the  noon  hours,  and  the  whole  town  made  a 
holiday. 

In  the  afternoon  the  way  from  the  Mansion 
House  to  Nottingham  Church  was  lined  with 
cheering  people,  as  the  wedding  party  passed  by. 
The  famous  bowmen  were  gazed  at  as  curiously 
as  though  they  had  been  wild  animals,  but  were 
cheered  none  the  less.  Robin  who  had  long  been 
held  in  secret  liking  was  now  doubly  popular 
since  he.  had  the  King's  favor. 

Along  the  way  ahead  of  the  King  and  the 
smiling  bride  and  groom  to  be  ran  little  maids 
strewing  flowers  ;  while  streamers  floated  in 
greeting  from  the  windows.  I  ween,  the  only 
hearts  that  were  not  glad  this  day  were  those  of 
the  old  Sheriff,  and  of  his  proud  daughter,  who 
peered  between  the  shutters  of  her  window  and  was 
like  to  eat  out  her  heart  from  envy  and  hatred. 

At  last  the  party  reached  the  church,  where 
the  King  dismounted  lightly  from  his  horse  and 
helped  the  bride  to  alight ;  while  Will  Scarlet, 
the  best  man,  assisted  Mistress  Dale.  Within  the 
church  they  found  the  Bishop  robed  in  state,  and 
by  his  side  Friar  Tuck  who  had  been  especially 
deputed  to  assist. 


304  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

The  service  was  said  in  Latin,  while  the  organ 
pealed  forth  softly.  The  King  gave  away  the 
bride,  as  he  had  said,  and  afterwards  claimed  first 
kiss  for  his  pains.  Then  the  happy  party  dis- 
persed, and  Robin  and  Marian  passed  out  again 
through  the  portal,  man  and  wife. 

Out  through  the  cheering  streets  they  fared, 
while  the  greenwood  men  ran  ahead  and  flung 
gold  pennies  right  and  left  in  their  joy,  and  bade 
the  people  drink  the  health  of  the  young  couple 
and  the  King.  Then  the  whole  party  took  horse 
at  Will  Scarlet's  earnest  wish,  and  went. down  to 
Gamewell  Lodge,  where  the  old  Squire  George 
wept  for  joy  at  seeing  his  son  and  the  King  and 
the  wedding-party.  That  night  they  spent  there, 
and  feasted,  and  the  next  day,  Sir  Richard  of  the 
Lea  claimed  them. 

And  thus,  amid  feasting  and  rejoicing  and 
kingly  favor,  Robin  Hood,  the  new  Earl  of  Hunt- 
ingdon, and  his  bride  began  their  wedded  life. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 
HOW  ROBIN  HOOD  MET  HIS  DEATH 

"  Give  me  my  bent  bow  in  my  hand, 

And  a  broad  arrow  I'll  let  flee  ; 
And  where  this  arrow  is  taken  up, 
There  shall  my  grave  digg'd  be." 

NOW  by  good  rights  this  story  should 
end  with  the  wedding  of  Robin  Hood 
and  Maid  Marian ;  for  do  t  not  many 
pleasant  tales  end  with  a  wedding  and  the  saying, 
-'  and  they  lived  happy  ever  after  "  ?  But  this  is 
a  true  account — in  so  far  as  we  can  find  the 
quaint  old  ballads  which  tell  of  it — and  so  we 
must  follow  one  more  of  these  songs  and  learn 
how  Robin,  after  living  many  years  longer,  at 
last  came  to  seek  his  grave.  And  the  story  of  it 
runs  in  this  wise. 

Robin  Hood  and  his  men,  now  the  Royal  Arch- 
ers, went  with  King  Richard  of  the  Lion  Heart 
through  England  settling  certain  private  disputes 
which  had  arisen  among  the  Norman  barons 
while  the  King  was  gone  to  the  Holy  Land. 
Then  the  King  proceeded  amid  great  pomp  and 
3°5 


306  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

rejoicing  to  the  palace  at  London,  and  Robin,  the 
new  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  brought  his  Countess 
thither  where  she  became  one  of  the  finest  ladies 
of  the  Court. 

The  Royal  Archers  were  now  divided  into  two 
bands,  and  one-half  of  them  were  retained  in 
London,  while  the  other  half  returned  to  Sher- 
wood and  Barnesdale,  there  to  guard  the  King's 
preserves. 

Several  months  passed  by,  and  Robin  began 
to  chafe  under  the  restraint  of  city  life.  He 
longed  for  the  fresh  pure  air  of  the  greenwood, 
and  the  rollicking  society  of  his  yeomen.  One 
day,  upon  seeing  some  lads  at  archery  practice 
upon  a  green,  he  could  not  help  but  lament,  say- 
ing, "  Woe  is  me  !  I  fear  my  hand  is  fast  losing 
its  old  time  cunning  at  the  bow-string  !  " 

Finally  he  became  so  distraught  that  he  asked 
leave  to  travel  in  foreign  lands,  and  this  was 
granted  him.  He  took  Maid  Marian  with  him, 
and  together  they  went  through  many  strange 
countries.  Finally  in  an  Eastern  land  a  great 
grief  came  upon  Robin.  Marian  sickened  of  a 
plague  and  died.  They  had  been  married  but 
five  years,  and  Robin  felt  as  though  all  the  light 
had  gone  out  of  his  life. 

He  wandered  about  the  world  for  a  few  months 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  His  Death  307 

longer,  trying  to  forget  his  grief,  then  came  back 
to  the  court,  at  London,  and  sought  some  com- 
mission in  active  service.  But,  unluckily,  Richard 
was  gone  again  upon  his  adventures,  and  Prince 
John,  who  acted  as  Regent,  had  never  been  fond 
of  Robin.  He  received  him  with  a  sarcastic 
smile. 

"  Go  forth  into  the  greenwood,"  said  he,  coldly, 
11  and  kill  some  more  of  the  King's  deer.  Belike, 
then,  the  King  will  make  you  Prime  Minister,  at 
the  very  least,  upon  his  return." 

The  taunt  fired  Robin's  blood.  He  had  been 
in  a  morose  mood,  ever  since  his  dear  wife's 
death.  He  answered  Prince  John  hotly,  and  the 
Prince  bade  his  guards  seize  him  and  cast  him 
into  the  Tower. 

After  lying  there  for  a  few  weeks,  he  was  re- 
leased by  the  faithful  Stutely  and  the  remnant 
of  the  Royal  Archers,  and  all  together  they  fled 
the  city  and  made  their  way  to  the  greenwood. 
There  Robin  blew  the  old  familiar  call,  which  all 
had  known  and  loved  so  well.  Up  came  running 
the  remainder  of  the  band,  who  had  been  Royal 
Foresters,  and  when  they  saw  their  old  master 
they  embraced  his  knees  and  kissed  his  hands, 
and  fairly  cried  for  joy  that  he  had  come  again  to 
them.  And  one  and  all  forswore  fealty  to  Prince 


308  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

John,  and  lived  quietly  with  Robin  in  the  green- 
wood, doing  harm  to  none  and  only  awaiting  the 
time  when  King  Richard  should  come  again. 

But  King  Richard  came  not  again,  and  would 
never  need  his  Royal  Guard  more.  Tidings 
presently  reached  them,  of  how  he  had  met  his 
death  in  a  foreign  land,  and  how  John  reigned  as 
King  in  his  stead.  The  proof  of  these  events 
followed  soon  after,  when  there  came  striding 
through  the  glade  the  big,  familiar  form  of  Little 
John. 

"  Art  come  to  arrest  us  ?  "  called  out  Robin,  as 
he  ran  forward  and  embraced  his  old  comrade. 

"Nay,  I  am  not  come  as  the  Sheriff  of  Not- 
tingham, thanks  be,"  answered  Little  John. 
"  The  new  King  has  deposed  me,  and  'tis  greatly 
to  my  liking,  for  I  have  long  desired  to  join  you 
here  again  in  the  greenwood." 

Then  were  the  rest  of  the  band  right  glad  at 
this  news,  and  toasted  Little  John  royally. 

The  new  King  waged  fierce  war  upon  the  out- 
laws, soon  after  this,  and  sent  so  many  scouting 
parties  into  Sherwood  and  Barnesdale  that  Robin 
and  his  men  left  these  woods  for  a  time  and 
went  into  Derbyshire,  near  Haddon  Hall.  A 
curious  pile  of  stone  is  shown  to  this  day  as  the 
ruins  of  Robin's  Castle,  where  the  bold  outlaw  is 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  His  Death  309 

believed  to  have  defied  his  enemies  for  a  year  or 
more.  At  any  rate  King  John  found  so  many 
troubles  of  his  own,  after  a  time,  that  he  ceased 
troubling  the  outlaws. 

But  in  one  of  the  last  sorties  Robin  was 
wounded.  The  cut  did  not  seem  serious,  and 
healed  over  the  top  ;  but  it  left  a  lurking  fever. 
Daily  his  strength  ebbed  away  from  him,  until  he 
was  in  sore  distress. 

One  day  as  he  rode  along  on  horseback,  near 
Kirklees  Abbey,  he  was  seized  with  so  violent  a 
rush  of  blood  to  the  head  that  he  reeled  and  came 
near  falling  from  his  saddle.  He  dismounted 
weakly  and  knocked  at  the  Abbey  gate.  A 
woman  shrouded  in  black  peered  forth. 

"  Who  are  you  that  knock  here  ?  For  we 
allow  no  man  within  these  walls,"  she  said. 

"  Open,  for  the  love  of  Heaven  !  "  he  begged. 
"  I  am  Robin  Hood,  ill  of  a  fever  and  in  sore 
straits." 

At  the  name  of  Robin  Hood  the  woman 
started  back,  and  then,  as  though  bethinking  her- 
self, unbarred  the  door  and  admitted  him.  As- 
sisting his  fainting  frame  up  a  flight  of  stairs  and 
into  a  front  room,  she  loosed  his  collar  and 
bathed  his  face  until  he  was  revived.  Then  she 
spoke  hurriedly  in  a  low  voice : 


310  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

"  Your  fever  will  sink,  if  you  are  bled.  See,  I 
have  provided  a  lancet  and  will  open  your  veins, 
while  you  lie  quiet." 

So  she  bled  him,  and  he  fell  into  a  stupor 
which  lasted  nearly  all  that  day,  so  that  he  awoke 
weak  and  exhausted  from  loss  of  blood. 

Now  there  is  a  dispute  as  to  this  abbess  who 
bled  him.  Some  say  that  she  did  it  in  all  kind- 
ness of  heart ;  while  others  aver  that  she  was 
none  other  than  the  former  Sheriff's  daughter, 
and  found  her  revenge  at  last  in  this  cruel  deed. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  Robin's  eyes  swam  from 
very  weakness  when  he  awoke.  He  called 
wearily  for  help,  but  there  was  no  response.  He 
looked  longingly  through  the  window  at  the 
green  of  the  forest ;  but  he  was  too  weak  to  make 
the  leap  that  would  be  needed  to  reach  the 
ground. 

He  then  bethought  him  of  his  horn, 

Which  hung  down  at  his  knee ; 
He  set  his  horn  unto  his  mouth, 

And  blew  out  weak  blasts  three. 

Little  John  was  out  in  the  forest  near  by,  or 
the  blasts  would  never  have  been  heard.  At 
their  sound  he  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"  Woe  !  woe ! "  he  cried,  "  I  fear  my  master  is 
near  dead,  he  blows  so  wearily !  " 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  His  Death  311 

So  he  made  haste  and  came  running  up  to  the 
door  of  the  abbey,  and  knocked  loudly  for  ad- 
mittance. Failing  to  get  reply  he  burst  in  the 
door  with  frenzied  blows  of  his  mighty  fist,  and 
soon  came  running  up  to  the  room  where  Robin 
lay,  white  and  faint. 

"  Alas,  dear  master  !  "  cried  Little  John  in  great 
distress ;  "  I  fear  you  have  met  with  treachery ! 
If  that  be  so,  grant  me  one  last  boon,  I  pray." 

"  What  is  it?  "  asked  Robin. 

"  Let  me  burn  Kirkley-Hall  with  fire,  and  all 
its  nunnery." 

"  Nay,  good  comrade,"  answered  Robin  Hood 
gently,  "  I  cannot  grant  such  a  boon.  The  dear 
Christ  bade  us  forgive  all  our  enemies.  More- 
over, you  know  I  never  hurt  woman  in  all  my 
life  ;  nor  man  when  in  woman's  company." 

He  closed  his  eyes  and  fell  back,  so  that  his 
friend  thought  him  dying.  The  great  tears  fell 
from  the  giant's  eyes  and  wet  his  master's  hand. 
Robin  slowly  rallied  and  seized  his  comrade's 
outstretched  arm. 

"  Lift  me  up,  good  Little  John,"  he  said 
brokenly, "  I  want  to  smell  the  air  from  the  good 
greenwood  once  again.  Give  me  my  good  yew 
bow — here — here — and  fix  a  broad  arrow  upon 
the  string.  Out  yonder — among  the  oaks — 


312  Stories  of  Robin  Hood 

where  this  arrow  shall  fall — let  them  dig  my 
grave." 

And  with  one  last  mighty  effort  he  sped  his 
shaft  out  of  the  open  window,  straight  and  true, 
as  in  the  days  of  old,  till  it  struck  the  largest  oak 
of  them  all  and  dropped  in  the  shadow  of  the 
trees.  Then  he  fell  back  upon  the  sobbing 
breast  of  his  devoted  friend. 

"  Tis  the  last !  "  he  murmured,  "  tell  the  brave 
hearts  to  lay  me  there  with  the  green  sod  under 
my  head  and  feet.  And — let  them  lay — my  bent 
bow  at  my  side,  for  it  has  made  sweet  music  in 
mine  ears/' 

He  rested  a  moment,  and  Little  John  scarce 
knew  that  he  was  alive.  But  on  a  sudden 
Robin's  eye  brightened,  and  he  seemed  to  think 
himself  back  once  more  with  the  band  in  the 
open  forest  glade.  He  struggled  to  rise. 

"  Ha  !  'tis  a  fine  stag,  Will !  And  Allan,  thou 
never  didst  thrum  the  harp  more  sweetly.  How 
the  light  blazes  !  And  Marian  ! — 'tis  my  Marian 
— come  at  last !  " 

So  died  the  body  of  Robin  Hood  ;  but  his  spirit 
lives  on  through  the  centuries  in  the  deathless 
ballads  which  are  sung  of  him,  and  in  the  hearts 
of  men  who  love  freedom  and  chivalry. 


How  Robin  Hood  Met  His  Death  313 

They  buried  him  where  his  last  arrow  had 
fallen,  and  they  set  up  a  stone  to  mark  the  spot. 
And  on  the  stone  were  graven  these  words : 

"  Here  underneath  his  little  stone 
Lies  Robert,  Earl  of  Huntingdon  ; 
Never  archer  as  he  so  good, 
And  people  called  him  Robin  Hood. 
Such  outlaws  as  he  and  his  men 
Will  England  never  see  again." 


THE  END 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below, 
or  on  the  date  to  which  renewed.  Renewals  only: 

Tel.  No.  642-3405 

Renewals  may  be  made  4  days  priod  to  date  due. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


BBCDIA   JAN1  273  . 


T  T^OI  A    cn^,  Q  "TA  General  Libran' 

University  of  California 
Berkeley 


YA  08796 


